The ICIMOD report highlights the HKH region’s vast 3.5 TW renewable potential, with only 6.1% utilized. Fossil fuel dependence, climate risks, and policy gaps hinder progress. India can lead by boosting investment, regional cooperation, and resilient projects, advancing sustainable growth, energy security, and climate commitments across South Asia.
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Picture Courtesy: DOWNTOEARTH
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) report reveals that Himalayan nations tap only 6.1% of their renewable energy potential.
Established in 1983, it is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning center in Kathmandu, Nepal, focusing on the people and environment of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
Member countries: ICIMOD serves its eight regional member countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Goal: To build and share knowledge, drive regional policy and action, and attract investment to enable the diverse countries and communities of the HKH to transition to greener, more inclusive, and climate-resilient development.
Low Renewable Energy Use: The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, spanning Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, utilizes only 6.1% of its total primary energy supply (TPES) from renewables.
Hydropower Potential: The region holds 882 GW of hydropower potential, with 635 GW from trans-boundary rivers, but only 49% is tapped.
Solar and Wind: Non-hydro renewable potential (solar and wind) stands at 3 Terawatts, vastly underutilized compared to the region’s 3.5 Terawatt total renewable potential.
Fossil Fuel Dominance: Fossil fuels dominate electricity generation: 98% in Bangladesh, 77% in India, 76% in Pakistan, 67% in China, and 51% in Myanmar, while Bhutan and Nepal rely 100% on renewables.
Biofuel Reliance: Biofuels and waste contribute significantly to total primary energy supply (TPES)—66% in Nepal, 50% in Myanmar, 25% in Bhutan and Pakistan—posing health and environmental risks.
Climate Risks: Glacial lake outburst floods threaten two-thirds of hydropower projects, with changing hydrological regimes affecting output.
The HKH region’s vast renewable potential remains underutilized due to infrastructure and policy gaps, exacerbating reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainable biofuels.
High Capital Costs: Renewable projects require significant investment, but public finance is limited, and private investment is hard to attract.
Climate Risks: Glacial floods, water variability, and extreme weather events damage infrastructure and reduce hydropower reliability.
Ecosystem and Social Impacts: Renewable projects risk disrupting local communities, ecosystems, and health without proper planning.
Technology Gaps: Limited expertise, land availability, and R&D investment hinder solar, wind, and hydropower development.
Policy Barriers: Lack of regulatory frameworks addressing air and water pollution slows renewable adoption.
Regional Cooperation Deficit: Geopolitical tensions and weak coordination among HKH nations limit cross-border energy trade and technology sharing.
Enhance Regional Cooperation: Leverage platforms like SAARC Energy Centre and BIMSTEC Energy Ministers Conference to promote energy trade and technology transfer.
Increase Investment: Mobilize international finance from institutions like the Asian Development Bank to fund renewable infrastructure.
Strengthen Climate Resilience: Integrate disaster risk mitigation into renewable projects to counter glacial floods and water variability.
Build Capacity: Invest in R&D and skill development to address technology and expertise gaps.
Policy Reforms: Develop frameworks to reduce pollution and incentivize private investment in renewables.
Collaborative, innovative, and resilient strategies can unlock the HKH’s clean energy potential, supporting sustainable development and climate goals.
India can lead HKH renewable development, leveraging its 77% fossil fuel-based electricity to transition to renewables.
India can drive SAARC and BIMSTEC initiatives to foster energy trade, benefiting from International Solar Alliance expertise.
India’s investment in disaster-resilient hydropower and solar projects aligns with Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) targeting 500 GW non-fossil energy by 2030.
India’s leadership in HKH renewable cooperation can enhance energy security and regional influence while meeting global climate commitments.
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Read all about: INDIA ACHIEVES 50% GREEN ENERGY MILESSTONE l HYDROELECTRIC POWER IN INDIA |
The ICIMOD report highlights the HKH region’s untapped 3.5 Terawatt renewable potential, with only 6.1% utilized. India, as a key player, must expand regional cooperation, infrastructure investment, and climate-resilient strategies to harness clean energy, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and drive sustainable growth.
Source: DOWNTOEARTH
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Despite vast hydropower resources, the Himalayan states have tapped a minimal portion of its clean energy potential. Critically analyze. 150 words |
The HKH includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Bhutan and Nepal produce almost 100% of their electricity from hydropower.
India aims for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.
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