Cross Border Grid Interconnections

Enabling South Asia’s Energy Transformation

The transition to a sustainable energy future requires robust infrastructure for cross-border power exchange, allowing nations to share resources, balance demand, and leverage renewable energy generation. India, with its central position in South Asia, plays a pivotal role in fostering cross-border grid interconnections with neighbouring countries, enabling the efficient utilization of surplus electricity, enhancing energy security, and supporting regional cooperation.

The Importance of Cross-Border Grid Interconnections

Optimizing Resource Utilization:

Cross-border grids allow nations to share energy resources effectively. Hydroelectric power from Bhutan and Nepal flows into India during periods of surplus, while India supplies electricity back during lean seasons. This exchange minimizes resource wastage and maximizes output from existing assets.

Leveraging Time Diversity in Renewables:

Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are subject to variability based on geography and time. Grid interconnections mitigate these challenges by distributing surplus generation from one region to meet the deficit in another, enabling better integration of renewable energy.

Enhancing Energy Security:

By diversifying power sources across borders, interconnected grids reduce reliance on any single energy source, enhancing the resilience of regional power systems against disruptions.

Economic and Political Cooperation:

Energy trade fosters economic interdependence and political goodwill among nations, strengthening regional ties and promoting shared growth.

India’s Central Role in Regional Power Integration

India’s unique geographical location and its established energy sector position it as a hub for cross-border grid interconnections in South Asia. Collaborations with SAARC and BIMSTEC countries, facilitated through bilateral agreements and MoUs, are creating a cohesive energy network across the region.

Current Energy Exchange

• India exchanges approximately 4,100 MW of power with neighboring countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. This capacity is projected to grow to 7,000 MW by 2026-27.

• Transmission links spanning voltage levels from 11 kV to 400 kV connect border states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura to neighboring nations.

Key Ongoing & Proposed Initiatives

India-Sri Lanka HVDC Link:

A 1,000 MW HVDC interconnection between Madurai (India) and Mannar (Sri Lanka) using voltage source converter technology is under finalization. This project will integrate Sri Lanka into the regional power network, paving the way for further collaboration under the One Sun One World One Grid initiative.

The link will be 285 kilometers long, with 50 kilometers of submarine cables. It will be built by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and Ceylon Electricity Board. Construction is expected to start in 2030 and cost between $340–$430 million.

One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG):

India is spearheading the OSOWOG initiative to connect its electricity grid with those of countries like the Maldives, Singapore, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to create a global grid for renewable energy, promoting clean energy trade and integration.

Spotlight on Major Cross-Border Partnerships

India-Bhutan Cooperation

In 2006, India and Bhutan signed an agreement to collaborate on hydroelectric power development, including project construction, transmission systems, and electricity trade with participation from both public and private sectors. Currently, approximately 2,070 MW of power from Bhutan’s operational hydroelectric projects (HEPs) is exported to India. These projects include the Chukha HEP (336 MW), Kurichu HEP (60 MW), Tala HEP (1,020 MW), Dagachu HEP (126 MW), and Mangdechu HEP (720 MW).

The transmission network connecting these projects to India consists of the following:

 • Chukha (Bhutan)–Birpara (West Bengal) 220 kV double-circuit (D/C) line.

 • Chukha (Bhutan)–Birpara (West Bengal) via Singhigaon (Bhutan) 220 kV single-circuit (S/C) line.

 • Kurichu (Bhutan)–Gelephu (Bhutan)–Salakati (Assam) 132 kV S/C line.

 • Tala (Bhutan)–Siliguri (West Bengal) 400 kV 2xD/C line.

 • Jigmeling–Alipurduar 400 kV D/C (Quad) line.

 • Punatsangchu-I–Alipurduar 400 kV D/C (Quad) line.

 • Punatsangchu-II–Alipurduar 400 kV D/C (Quad) line.

Additionally, power from these Bhutanese projects, along with hydroelectric output from Sikkim and the northeastern region of India, is transmitted to other parts of the country via the high-capacity Biswanath-Chariali–Alipurduar–Agra ±800 kV, 6,000 MW HVDC bipole link.

India-Bangladesh Energy trade

In January 2010, India and Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in the power sector. This agreement encompasses collaboration in power generation, transmission, energy efficiency, renewable energy development, and establishing grid connectivity between the two countries.

Currently, India supplies 1,160 MW of electricity to Bangladesh through two key transmission lines:

 • The Baharampur (India)–Bheramara (Bangladesh) 2×400 kV double-circuit (D/C) line, supported by a 2×500 MW HVDC back-to-back station at Bheramara.

 • The Surajmaninagar (Tripura)–Comilla (Bangladesh) 400 kV D/C line, which operates at 132 kV.

Additionally, plans are underway to establish the Katihar (India)–Parbotipur (Bangladesh)–Bornagar (India) 765 kV D/C line to enhance connectivity further.

India-Nepal Interconnections

In October 2014, India and Nepal signed an agreement on “electric power trade, cross-border transmission interconnection, and grid connectivity.” This agreement outlines cooperation in the power sector, including the development of 112 transmission interconnections, grid connectivity, and the exchange and trade of electricity through government, public, and private enterprises on mutually agreed terms.

Key existing transmission links include:

 • Muzaffarpur (India)–Dhalkebar (Nepal) 400 kV double-circuit (D/C) twin line.

 • Tanakpur HEP–Mahendra Nagar 132 kV single-circuit (S/C) line.

Additionally, the planned Gorakhpur (India)–New Butwal (Nepal) 400 kV D/C quad line and Arun-3 HEP (Nepal)–Dhalkebar (Nepal)–Sitamarhi (India) 400 kV D/C quad line will facilitate power evacuation from the Arun-3 (900 MW) hydroelectric project and other ongoing hydropower developments.

Planned upgrades and projects involve:

 • Stringing the second circuit for the Kataiya–Kushaha and Raxaul–Parwanipur 132 kV lines in Bihar.

 • Establishing the Nanpara–Kohalpur and Nautanwa–Mainhiya 132 kV D/C lines under the Uttar Pradesh (UPPTCL)-Nepal grid connectivity initiatives.

India-Myanmar Grid Expansion

In October 2016, India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the power sector. The agreement focuses on collaboration in areas such as power sector investments, generation, transmission, energy efficiency, renewable energy development, power trading, consultancy services, and human resource development to improve productivity and efficiency.

Since April 2016, India has been supplying around 2–3 MW of electricity to Myanmar through an 11 kV transmission line connecting Moreh in Manipur to Tamu Town in Myanmar. Additionally, the two countries have agreed to establish a 500 MW HVDC interconnection between Imphal in India and Tamu in Myanmar.

Discussions are also ongoing regarding the development of low-voltage radial interconnections between Myanmar and the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland.