Syllabus:

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment 

Context: The ICIMOD report reveals that the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) region is tapping only 6.1% of its vast renewable energy potential, with hydropower significantly underutilized.

About the Report

• The ICIMOD released the report titled, ‘Together we have more power: status, challenges, and the potential for regional renewable energy cooperation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya,’ in September 2025.

• The report examines existing energy sources, the share of renewable sources in the overall energy mix, analyses climatic and non-climatic risks to the energy sector and explores potential for renewable energy cooperation.   

• The HKH consists of the eight nations namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. 

Key Highlights of the Report

• Hydropower potential vs Exploitation: The HKH region holds 882 GW of hydropower potential across eight countries, with 635 GW from transboundary rivers. Only 49% of this is currently utilised.

• Non-Hydro Clean energy: It comprises solar and wind energy, which amounts to 3 Terawatts in the HKH region. 

• Pledge and Potential: As per the Nationally Determined Contributions, the total combined renewable energy targets of the countries of the HKH amount to 1.7 Terawatts; the renewable energy potential within the HKH region alone is over 3.5 Terawatts.

• Renewable Ownership Disparities: Bhutan and Nepal generate all of their electricity from renewable sources, while fossil fuels dominate electricity generation in neighbouring countries namely Bangladesh (98%), India (77%), Pakistan (76%), China (67%), and Myanmar (51%).

• Heavy Reliance on Traditional Biomass: Biofuels and waste make up a significant portion of total primary energy in four HKH countries, Nepal (66.7%), Myanmar (50%), and Bhutan and Pakistan (25% each)  which stresses continued reliance on wood, crop residue, and dung, which impacts health and air quality.

Barriers to Progress on Renewables

• Financial and Investment Challenges: The region faces difficulty with high capital costs, limited public finance, difficulty in attracting private investment, and the need for sustained investment in research and development. 

Eg: Afghanistan’s Khanabad-2 hydropower project in Kunduz province is stalled for lack of funds and foreign investment.

• Social and Environmental Concerns: There are potentially far-reaching consequences for local communities, ecosystems, and public health. 

Eg: Tehri Dam on the Bhagirathi River displaced about 100,000 people and submerged 125 villages, disrupting the Himalayan ecosystem.

• Technological and Operational Challenges: A lack of advanced technology and experience, combined with limited knowledge on operations and maintenance, poses barriers to efficient implementation and long-term management of renewable energy projects. 

Eg: Nepal’s Khaskusma hydropower project stalled due to poor expertise, technical know-how and maintenance capacity.

• Land and Policy Challenges: Land availability, air and water pollution considerations, and absence of robust policy and regulatory frameworks further complicates renewable energy deployment.

Eg: Steep terrain restricts solar farms, and weak regulations risk water pollution from hydropower.

• Climate Risks: The region’s fragile climate endangers hydropower through glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), shifting river flows and extreme weather. 

Eg: The 2023 Teesta III Dam GLOF in Sikkim damaged infrastructure and displaced thousands.

Regional Energy Cooperation: Key Recommendations of the Report to Overcome Barriers

• Regional Cooperation: It promotes renewable energy trade, reduce disaster risks, strengthen agricultural trade, industrial development and leverage platforms like SAARC’s Energy Centre and BIMSTEC for skill and technology exchange.

• Encouraging Private Investment: It facilitates technology and knowledge transfer while supporting green growth and job creation.

• Diversifying Energy Sources: enhance agricultural productivity and helps countries achieve their national and global energy commitments.

Sources:
ICIMOD
Down To Earth
Business Standard