The government is reviewing a proposal to jointly develop a 683-megawatt (MW) hydropower plant with Nepal as part of efforts to increase the import of clean energy from the Himalayan nation, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told Parliament on Monday.

Responding to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Fahima Nasrin (Women Seat-29), the minister said the proposed joint venture is being considered to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the hydropower sector and expand Bangladesh’s access to renewable energy.

He noted that Bangladesh is already importing 40MW of hydropower from Nepal under an existing energy cooperation framework between the two countries.

The minister also said that if any legal measures become necessary in the regional hydropower sector in the future, the government will take the required steps accordingly.

Bangladesh has been seeking to diversify its energy sources and increase the share of renewable energy in its power mix, with cross-border electricity trade emerging as a key component of its long-term energy strategy.