WHAT IS NHA ?

NHA was established to address the specific needs of hydropower professionals in Nepal and to support the development of carefully planned hydro projects in the country. NHA provides a platform for its members to exchange and thereby enhance their knowledge about various aspects of hydropower systems. NHA also aims to raise the profile of hydropower by developing useful information and dissemination to policy makers, politicians, professionals, related expertise and the general public.

NHA activities have proceeded well since its establishment in 1999. Since then, NHA has organized two international seminars and published regular newsletters. It conducted a series of talk programs for sharing and disseminating experiences with and information on local and international trends on various aspects of hydropower development; both the national and international arena participating actively. As a national committee of the IHA, NHA has maintained a cordial relationship with IHA. Some of our members participated in IHA's international conferences at Switzerland in 2000 and Italy in 2001.

That NHA has compiled Nepal Hydropower Database 2001, the first such endeavor, speaks for the acceptance of NHA, both at home and abroad. Thanks to all concerned: His Majesty's Government of Nepal, Ministry of Water Resources, National Planning Commission, Institute of Engineering, all the members and particularly to Prof. Raymond Lafitte, Ms. Alison Bartle and Richard Taylor of IHA and other concerns for their active cooperation and encouragement.

Database 2001 highlights the country's hydro potential, past achievements, present trends and future scope for development. It demonstrates the existence of various resources available in the country. It will be an important tool for all those involved in hydropower sector in Nepal as well as for foreign groups. We believe that its existence will benefit not only to our members but also all others who require the services of different disciplines for hydropower development in Nepal.  

NHA organized a program to launch the First Hydropower Database 2001 of Nepal and a one-day seminar entitled Water Resource Development in Nepal on 4 February 2002 at Hotel Radisson in Kathmandu, Nepal. An IHA delegation and some international guests are also expected to join us on this occasion.

STRATEGY

1 GENERAL

1.1 Establishment
The Nepal Hydropower Association (NHA) is a non-profit non-governmental, multi- disciplinary membership association of professionals, registered since February 1999, to provide a forum to address various development needs of hydropower. It is a National Committee of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) based in London, United Kingdom.

1.2 Membership
Membership is open to all who are involved in the pursuit of excellence in the field of hydropower and related activities in Nepal. NHA at present have over 200 members from all different faculties related to hydropower development.

1.3 Executive Body
The Executive Committee is elected by the NHA's General Members. It consists of: the President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer and 7 members elected by the General Body of the Association.

1.4 Vision
Maximize the utilization of hydropower as a renewable energy source contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and sustainable economic development of the country.

1.5 Mission

To enhance the development of affordable hydropower to meet the national as well as the regional need for energy and to serve as a national platform for all stakeholders in developing hydropower in the country in a socially acceptable and environmentally friendly manner.

2. Objectives

The major objectives of NHA shall be:

• To create a better enabling environment for hydropower development

• To advocate and support the capacity building of hydro professionals and entrepreneurs and institutions

• To protect and ensure the benefits, interests and rights of its members while maintaining ethical values and integrity among its members

3. STRATEGY

3.1 Purpose
During the last five years of Nepal Hydropower Association’s establishment, it has actively fulfilled its objectives by organizing seminars, workshops and interaction programs. It has actively participated in the events worldwide including those organized by the International Hydropower Association. One of the important works it has carried out is the publication of the Nepal Hydropower Database which is widely used by the relevant organizations, institutions and individuals.

As the association is now entering in the new phase, the Executive Committee’s meeting has felt a need of setting a new strategic direction focusing on the major issues and challenges in the energy sector.

3.2 Major Issues and Challenges
o Hydropower offers a major economic prospectus for the country; however, its development is not as desired. We have been unable to harness our hydropower potential to meet the national aspiration. The fundamental issues and areas of constraints confronting hydropower development are:

•  Gaps and lack of consistency in policies and legislative       provisions
•  Lack of effective co-ordination among the sector’s major       stakeholders
•    Inequitable participation and benefit sharing in hydropower
•   Non optimal utilization of indigenous expertise and resources
•   Slow pace in electricity market development
• Insufficient awareness and information dissemination of     hydropower among the general population in Nepal
•   Lack of promotion of R&D activities

3.3 Scope of Activities
In consideration of the above issues and challenges, NHA’s scope of activities will encompass the following:

Policy and Legislation
1. Advise the government on setting up policies, plans, strategies, and regulatory mechanism.

2. Proactively assist in highlighting and addressing the various constraints/bottlenecks in developing the hydropower potential.

Coordination
3. Promote interactions among stakeholders to reconcile conflicting views and build a consensus on key issues related to hydropower development in the country.

4. Facilitate coordination among and partnership with relevant agencies

5. Promote mobilization of financial resources for hydropower projects.

6. Develop co-operation and support at national and international level.

Equitable Participation and benefit sharing

Use of indigenous expertise and resources
7. Assist in the capacity building of the Hydropower professionals, entrepreneurs and institutions.

Awareness rising
8. Establish and maintain a comprehensive hydropower database and disseminate the information.

9. Raise awareness among the general population in Nepal by disseminating appropriate information regarding hydropower.

Promote R&D
10. Keep abreast with international trend in the field of hydropower development.

11. Promote increased R&D activities in Nepal.

Others
12. Appropriately staff and equip the secretariat.

3.4 Action Plan (2008 -2009)

Policy and legislation
1. Organize periodic forum for national and international stakeholders: discuss, share and exchange information on current issues like demand side management, power purchase agreement, financing, electricity market, equitable benefit sharing etc..

Coordination
2. Establish linkages with at least two relevant organizations

Equitable Participation and benefit sharing

Use of indigenous expertise and resources
3. Organize at least six talk programs a year
4. Organize at least two field tours a year to hydropower plants/projects in Nepal
5. Co-organize a training program on a relevant topic in collaboration with an appropriate organization
6. Assist members to participate in external seminars

Awareness raising
7. Update and maintain NHA website
8. Publish half-yearly newsletter
9. Maintain and expand the hydropower resource centre.
10. Organize one national level seminar every year
11. Organize a public awareness event every year
12. Publish at least two articles in national newspapers every year
13. Co-organize one IHA seminar once in the two years

Promote R&D
14. Study and disseminate institutional, financial, market, legal and regulatory issues constraining development at policy and implementation level and advocate appropriate alternative arrangements

Others
15. Recruit an Executive Secretary for the Secretariat.

Fund Raising
16. Implement a membership renewal drive
17. Implement a new membership drive
18. Explore possibilities of obtaining grants and contributions

4 BUDGET AND IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE
The Table with detailed action plan for 2008 – 2009 is attached here.