India mulls green power trade with SE Asia

The move will help expand cross-border sale of electricity by India manifold. Currently, cross-border interconnections exist with Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar, and these facilitate total power transfer of about 4,423 mega watt (MW). New Delhi is also considering trading power with West Asian countries, including the UAE.

“We are in an advanced discussions with Singapore for signing a deal on laying down a direct under-sea interconnection for trade in renewable power,” an official in the ministry of power said on condition of anonymity.

Indian power officials are holding separate and joint discussions with countries of Southeast Asia including Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand at the ongoing G20 Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Goa.

“Several rounds of discussion have already taken place. Among other things, talks are happening on establishing regional power grid interconnections. Setting up grid linkage with Myanmar will take four years,” the official said.

Analysts believe the upcoming arrangement with Southeast Asian countries reflect India’s growing diplomatic ties in the region, and signals its intent to be a large producer.