A Strategic Vision for the Himalayas
The Himalayan region, with its high altitude and numerous fast-flowing rivers, holds enormous potential for hydropower. Nepal, Bhutan, and Pakistan are actively exploring and developing this potential. Significant projects include Nepal's Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Plant, and Bhutan's Tala Hydroelectric Project. On the Indus River alone, Pakistan presently has around 17GW of planned developments to add to its 4.5GW operational capacity. Countries like Bhutan and Nepal export surplus electricity to neighboring countries, including India and Bangladesh.
But it is also a fragile ecological terrain. Melting glaciers and altered precipitation patterns can affect river flows and there is also the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) which can damage infrastructure.
The IHA Kathmandu office will serve as a hub for coordinating efforts to develop hydropower projects that not only meet the growing energy needs of the region but do so in an environmentally responsible and climate resilient way.
Sushil Pokharel, IHA Vice-Chair and Founder of Bizbell, which is hosting the office, said, “The Himalayas offer unparalleled opportunities for hydropower development. With the establishment of the IHA office in Kathmandu, we aim to leverage these natural resources to fuel sustainable growth, improve energy access and contribute to economic development in the region.”
A Commitment to Sustainability: The Hydropower Sustainability Standard
IHA's mission is to advance sustainable hydropower by building and sharing knowledge on its role in renewable energy systems, responsible freshwater management and climate change solutions. IHA champions the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), an internationally recognized benchmark that guides projects to balance energy development with environmental and social considerations.
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) is the custodian of the HSS, which has published certifications for more than 30 hydropower projects globally. Certification of a project indicates that it meets minimum sustainability expectations across a comprehensive range of topics using up to date and sector specific sustainability guidance. The Hydropower Sustainability Standard is the only global certification scheme for operators to accredit their projects as Certified Sustainable. It is supported by industry, governments, and NGOs.
Prof Ashok Khosla, President of the HSA, emphasized the importance of this approach: “The HSS is more than just a set of guidelines; it is a commitment to ensuring that hydropower projects contribute positively to the local environment and communities. By adhering to these standards, we can make sure that the benefits of hydropower are maximized, while the impacts on ecosystems and local cultures are minimized.”
