Harmonizing Electricity Laws in South Asia

South Asia, home to nearly one-sixth of the global population, is one of the poorest regions in the world. Access to electricity in the region is low and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries face acute electricity shortages, adversely impacting their socioeconomic development. Yet the region is endowed with hydropower potential, coal reserves, natural gas reserves, large renewable energy resources, and petroleum reserves. These can be harnessed to become key drivers of the region’s growth—and energy trade has the potential to capitalize on this asset. This report culminates the work of ADB and SAARCLAW on regional energy trade. It identifies the legal, regulatory, technical, and commercial requirements for energy trade; and what each country needs to do to make the framework agreement a reality. The recommendations provide an easy reference for policy makers and energy stakeholders in the region. It is hoped that this report’s recommendations, derived from the work of national consultants and regional and international experts, will contribute to the fulfillment of the framework agreement.