India will be taking over an ambitious hydropower project in Nepal — West Seti — nearly four years after China withdrew from it, ending a six-year engagement between 2012 and 2018.
What is West Seti Hydel Project?
- The West Seti Dam is a proposed 750-megawatt (MW) hydroelectric dam on the Seti River in the Far-Western Development Region of Nepal.
- Particularly, it is a storage scheme designed to generate and export large quantities of electrical energy to India.
- The project is envisaged to provide Nepal 31.9% electricity free.
- Besides, locals affected by the project are being given a share of Nepali Rs 10 million plus 30 units of electricity per month free.
Why in news now?
- The project was earlier accorded to a Chinese company.
- But Nepal feared that India won’t buy power from China-executed projects.
Significance: India -Nepal Power Relations
- Nepal is rich in power sources with around 6,000 rivers and an estimated potential for 83,000 MW.
- India has formally approached Nepal on many occasions, seeking preferential rights over Nepali waters should it match offers coming from elsewhere.
- India is viewed as a feasible power market for Nepal.
- India has undertaken to harness or expressed intent to harness major rivers in the north.
Issues in project execution
- There has been some uncertainty in Nepal over India’s inability to deliver projects on time.
- An ambitious Mahakali treaty was signed back in 1996, to produce 6,480 MW, but India has still not been able to come out with the Detailed project Report.
- The Upper Karnali project, for which the multinational GMR signed the contract, has made no headway for years.
- Major reasons for stalling of these projects was a lack of consensus over power purchase agreement with India.
- Also, seismic sensitivity of the Himalayan Region is the prime consideration.
What has helped build faith recently?
- India under PM Modi has been successful in executing the 900-MW Arun Three Project in eastern Nepal’s Sankhuwa Sabha.
- After a standoff between Nepal and India led to the economic blockade of 2015, equations changed after Deuba took over last July, replacing Oli.
Benefits for Nepal
- Nepal has a massive power shortfall as it generates only around 900 MW against an installed capacity of nearly 2,000 MW.
- Although it is currently selling 364 MW power to India, it has over the years importing from India.
Hurdles from Nepal’s internal crisis
- Nepal’s Constitution has a provision under which any treaty or agreement with another country on natural resources will require Parliament’s ratification by at least a two-thirds majority.
- That will also mean homework will be required before any hydro project is signed and given for execution.
Way forward
- Until India agrees to value Nepal’s water and the existing focus on power is not reviewed, mutual distrust may continue.
- India must start executing its projects timely.
- And its success is expected to restore India’s image in Nepal and give it weightage in future considerations for hydropower projects, when competition is bound to be tough.
- West Seti, therefore, has the potential to be a defining model for Nepal India’s power relations in future.
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