Bangladesh is evaluating the joint development of a massive cross-border renewable energy infrastructure initiative, aiming to secure sustainable power through increased Bangladesh hydropower imports.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood informed Parliament on Monday that the government is actively reviewing the joint construction of a 683-megawatt hydroelectric plant in partnership with Nepal.
This ambitious policy decision underscores Dhaka’s strategic shift toward regional electricity integration, an effort designed to mitigate the national grid’s heavy reliance on volatile global fossil fuel markets and strengthen long-term economic stability.
Responding to a formal parliamentary inquiry from ruling party lawmaker Fahima Nasrin, the energy minister outlined the administration’s broader vision for cross-border power sharing. He stated to the legislative body that in a bid to import more renewable energy from the Himalayan nation, the specific proposal of co-developing the 683-megawatt facility is under thorough review.
Energy sector analysts broadly recognise this proposed facility as the Sunkoshi-3 hydroelectric project, a highly anticipated cornerstone of emerging bilateral cooperation designed to harness the Sunkoshi River to feed South Asia’s growing industrial electricity demands.
The push to co-develop large-scale generation infrastructure builds upon established diplomatic and commercial energy foundations. At present, Bangladesh is already importing 40 megawatts of hydroelectricity directly from Nepal.
This existing supply arrangement represents a landmark achievement in regional geopolitical cooperation, successfully utilising the Indian high-voltage transmission grid to wheel the electricity across international borders. Scaling up this trilateral power corridor through a massive new plant is viewed as vital for Bangladesh as it seeks to diversify its national energy mix, ease the severe financial burden of costly liquefied natural gas imports, and ultimately reduce the strain of domestic power subsidies.
Addressing the complex regulatory environment surrounding transnational electricity markets, the energy minister assured lawmakers that the government is fully prepared to navigate any forthcoming administrative hurdles. He noted that if specific legal action or updated bilateral frameworks are required to advance the regional hydropower sector in the future, the necessary administrative and legislative measures will be implemented accordingly.
This proactive stance highlights a maturing South Asian energy market, signalling positive long-term prospects for integrated grid connectivity and enhanced regional fuel supply resilience.
