DHAKA: The Sikkim government is in talks with the Bangladesh government to export hydro power generated in the state to the neighbouring nation. Ahead of the commissioning of the 1200-MW Teesta-III project in North Sikkim, the Power Trading Corporation (PTC) has been given the responsibilities to explore possibilities for the export to Bangladesh.
State power department secretary NT Bhutia said, “The state government is looking to sell some power from the Teesta project outside the country with the aim of getting better rates than available within India.” Bhutia further added that Sikkim government feels it can fetch better rates if the state is able export some portion of the hydro power outside the country.
The Sikkim government has a stake of more than 51 per cent in the Teesta-III project developed by Teesta Urja Limited. During peak monsoon, the project can generate 1,200 megawatt power but its capacity may drop down by 50 per cent during winter and summer. Around 2,300 megawatt of electricity will be generated by the year from the hydro power projects being developed in Sikkim. Out of them, the Teesta-III project at Chungthang in North Sikkim is set for commissioning by January 2017.
