Possibility of Nepal Exporting Electricity to Europe

The Asian Development Bank has introduced a plan through the PAN Asia Power Grid Initiative to connect the Asia-Pacific region with electricity transmission lines by 2035. This project aims to improve electricity access for 200 million people, create 840,000 jobs, and reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector by 15 percent. Nepal has expressed its readiness to strengthen the network of renewable and clean energy while urging to prioritize itself as a key clean energy partner in its energy strategy. Kathmandu, 25 Baisakh.

Could Nepal export electricity to France or Germany just as it currently does to India? For many, this may still seem like a far-fetched idea. However, a significant plan is underway across Asia which, if successfully implemented, could make this a reality. During the 59th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank, Bank President Masato Kanda made an ambitious announcement—the PAN Asia Power Grid Initiative (PAGI), which aims to connect the entire Asia-Pacific region through transmission lines.

The project’s objective is not only regional integration but also to expand electricity access via inter-regional transmission lines to Europe and Africa. Specifically, it aims to transform Asia-Pacific into a hub for renewable energy, strengthen energy security by facilitating electricity exchange between all countries in the region, and eliminate energy disparities within the area. The Asian Development Bank also announced plans to mobilize $5 billion in investments over the next 10 years, through to 2035, for this sector.