The International Hydropower Association (IHA) kindly hosted by Bizbell, launches a new regional office in Kathmandu covering Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan. The office will support regional stakeholder to advance sustainable hydropower in one of the world’s most ecologically rich, yet fragile regions – the Himalayas.

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 neighbouring 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.

Large Projects

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. The focus is not just on speed but on ensuring that every project adheres to the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.”

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 recognised 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, emphasised 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 maximised, while the impacts on ecosystems and local cultures are minimised. HSA fully supports IHA in its mission to promote the HSS among key industry players. The IHA Kathmandu office will play a crucial role in this mission in the Himalayas, providing on-the-ground support and international expertise.”

Leading by Example: Setting Standards

Eddie Rich, CEO of IHA, said: “The Himalayas are poised to not only advance hydropower development at an unprecedented rate but also to set a benchmark for sustainability in the industry. With the rigorous HSS, we have the opportunity to demonstrate that large-scale renewable energy projects can drive economies and be environmentally sound and socially beneficial.”