Hydro-Himalaya: insights to inform hydropower policy, innovation and value chain in Nepal

Background

The Hydro-Himalaya Project, funded under the NORHED-II Programme, aims to strengthen research and higher education capacity in the Himalayan region through collaboration between Kathmandu University, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University of South-Eastern Norway, Wuhan University, and ICIMOD. The project focuses on improving hydropower production, transmission, and end-use through applied research.

Key research areas included sediment erosion in turbines and improved high-head designs, climate change impacts on hydropower performance, optimisation of power systems and grid management, and the use of surplus electricity for green hydrogen production.

Nepal’s hydropower sector is increasingly challenged by sediment-related damage, climate variability, and evolving energy demands. While the project has generated valuable scientific insights to address these issues, their integration into policy, regulation, and industry practice remains limited.

This workshop is designed to bridge this gap by sharing translated research findings into practical recommendations for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders.

Objectives

The workshop aims to:

• Share key insights, innovations, and outcomes from the Hydro-Himalaya Project to support Nepal’s green energy ambitions.
• Explore how research and innovation can strengthen hydropower policy, energy planning, and clean energy value chains.
• Develop evidence-based actionable recommendations to support hydropower growth, energy security, and green industrial development in Nepal and in the HKH region.
• Strengthen collaboration among academia, government, industry, and development partners to advance Nepal’s hydropower sector and regional energy leadership.

Organisers

The workshop is co-organised by NORHED-II Hydro-Himalaya Project’s partners: ICIMOD and Kathmandu University (Hydro-Himalaya Project Office), building on their collaboration.

Participants

The workshop will bring together key stakeholders from Nepal’s energy, policy, finance, academic, and private sectors, including government ministries, regulatory agencies, utilities, universities, financial institutions, and hydropower developers. It will also engage researchers, development partners, renewable energy experts, and sustainable hydropower value chain actors to foster knowledge exchange, evidence-based policy dialogue, and collaboration. Regional collaboration will be strengthened through virtual participation by partner universities and representatives of hydropower developers from Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, India, and Pakistan.

Expected Outcomes

• Improved awareness and understanding among policymakers and industry stakeholders of key research findings and their relevance to Nepal’s hydropower sector.
• A compendium of actionable recommendations for integrating research into hydropower policy, planning, and operational practices.
• Strengthened collaboration and engagement between academia, government, and industry to support evidence-based decision-making in the sector.