Nepal’s three hydropower projects receive 'Hydropower Sustainability Certification'

Bali, Indonesia; Three hydropower projects of Nepal have received certification of 'Hydropower Sustainability Standard'.

These projects have been certified during the three-day world hydropower congress organized by the International Hydro Power Association (IHA) in Bali that started on Tuesday (October 31).

During the opening session of the conference, the 9.51 megawatt Mai Beni Hydroelectric Power Station was awarded with 'Gold Certification'. The project is being built and operated by Samling Power Limited, a subsidiary of Urja Developers Pvt Ltd.  Similarly, two under construction semi-reservoir projects--110.20 MW Upper Chuwa Lurupya Khola and 98.17 MW Chuwa Khola were honored with the global certification.

Two other projects namely 3,750 MW Jirau of Brazil and 1248 MW Eastmain-1 Hydropower Plant of Canada also received 'Gold Certification'.

 In the program, Bhanu Pokharel, managing director of Urja Developers, received the 'Gold Certificate' on behalf of Mai Beni Hydropower Project. Similarly, Sushil Pokharel, founder of Bizbell Energy Pvt Ltd—promoter of Upper Chuwa Lurupya Khola Hydroelectric Project-- received the certificate on behalf of the project.

Likewise, Sudarshan Pokharel, director of Chuwa Khola Hydroelectric Project, received the certificate for the company.

According to the organizer, the companies have been awarded with ‘Gold Certificate’ based on their consideration for environment and ecological balance during the construction phase along with their contribution on promotion of local development, expanded investment by maintaining good governance transparency and their effort to minimize the effects of climate change, among others.

The organizers have also mentioned that the 'Hydropower Sustainability Council' has evaluated the set standards followed by the given hydropower plants and projects while awarding the certification.

In the program, the participants underlined that there is no alternative to 'sustainable hydropower development' globally. They also sought a need for taking forward mitigation of the effects of climate change, environmental balance and renewable energy development simultaneously.