IHA and NHA partnering to promote Hydropower Sustainability Standard in Nepal

Kathmandu; The International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) Sustainability Team and the Nepal Hydropower Association have partnered up to train over 60 professionals on the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.

The training, which is organized in association with Bizbell and supported by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), is expected to support the hydropower industry in implementing the standard to improve project performance and attract green financing. The partnership will assist in collaboration in training courses and workshops on key sustainability issues and an assessment of a hydropower project using the internationally recognized sustainability standards of the sector.

Speaking at the program, General Secretary of Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA), Arun Rajauria said the training is a milestone in bringing key stakeholders onto one platform to work towards introducing the Hydropower Sustainability Standard to Nepal. According to him, the partnership is focused on improving the sustainability of hydropower in the region with a view to make the NHA a center of excellence for sustainable hydropower development in South Asia.

The project is also expected to enable professionals concerned to measure and upgrade the sustainability performance of hydropower projects and make informed choices throughout a project’s life cycle.

Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, secretary of the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, said the ministry will put the best efforts to support the implementation of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard which could be instrumental in fulfilling sustainable development goals.

Hydropower plays a vital role in Nepal’s energy system, and as the country’s economy rapidly grows, power demand is certain to move up. In order to reach net zero targets and protect the country’s environment, it is vital that all new sources of electricity are developed and operated sustainably.

Founder of Bizbell, Sushil Pokharel said adoption of international guidelines for sustainable hydropower development could help unlock investment opportunities in Nepal. Bizbell is a Nepali independent power producer and a strategic investment manager company. “It is equally important to uplift the lives of the local community,” Pokharel said.

Alain Kilajian, senior sustainability specialist at the IHA, said they are keen to partner with the NHA to make Nepal a model for sustainable hydropower development in the region. He added through the collaboration, they aimed to train local professionals to identify and support socially and environmentally responsible hydropower projects. “This is a crucial time for the Nepalese hydropower sector, and we hope our partnership can help bring long-term benefits not only to local communities affected by these projects but also to the wider Nepalese society.”