Lalitpur - The Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA), a non-profit membership organization representing Nepal’s hydropower sector, has successfully concluded its 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) alongside its Silver Jubilee celebrations, marking 25 years of institutional engagement in the country’s water and energy development. The occasion was further highlighted by the official unveiling of the Nepal Hydropower Database 2025, a consolidated digital record of hydropower projects across the country.
Established in August 1999, NHA was initially formed as a national committee of the International Hydropower Association (IHA). Over time, it transitioned into an independent national organization, reflecting the growing scale and complexity of Nepal’s hydropower sector. Today, NHA comprises 192 individual members and 32 corporate members, including developers, engineers, consultants, financiers, and sectoral experts.
During the AGM, members reviewed the association’s annual progress, discussed policy challenges facing hydropower development, and reflected on NHA’s role in advocating for a more enabling environment for sustainable and responsible hydropower growth. Key concerns raised included regulatory stability, transmission infrastructure gaps, power market access, and the need for improved coordination between government agencies and the private sector.
The Silver Jubilee celebrations provided an opportunity to revisit NHA’s journey over the past 25 years, during which Nepal’s installed hydropower capacity has grown significantly, largely driven by private sector participation. Speakers acknowledged that while hydropower remains central to Nepal’s clean energy transition and economic aspirations, unresolved structural and governance issues continue to hinder the sector’s full potential.
A major outcome of the event was the unveiling of the Nepal Hydropower Database 2025, which aims to serve as a reliable reference for policymakers, investors, researchers, and the public. The database compiles updated information on hydropower projects at various stages-operational, under construction, and planned-helping improve transparency and informed decision-making in the sector.
NHA reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and other national and international partners to promote best practices, sustainability standards, and knowledge exchange. The association emphasized that collaborative efforts will be crucial as Nepal seeks to balance energy development with environmental protection, social safeguards, and climate resilience.
As Nepal positions hydropower as a backbone of its clean energy future and regional power trade ambitions, NHA’s evolving role-as a platform for dialogue, data, and sectoral coordination-remains increasingly significant.
