By Muhammad Luqman
The countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region are failing to tap into their immense collective renewable energy potential, with clean energy accounting for just 6.1% of their total primary energy supply (TPES), according to a major new assessment by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
The report was launched at a conference in Islamabad, jointly organized by ICIMOD, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
Titled “Together We Have More Power: Status, Challenges, and the Potential for Regional Renewable Energy Cooperation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya”, the report provides a stark analysis of the region’s energy landscape.
It finds that despite an estimated 3.5-terawatt potential for solar, wind, and hydropower generation, the eight HKH nations remain heavily reliant on fossil fuels and traditional biomass—jeopardizing their energy security, public health, and climate commitments.
“Across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, countries have pledged 1.7 terawatts of renewable energy capacity. But the region’s true potential is far greater—over 3.5 terawatts,” said Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director General of ICIMOD.
“That’s more than double the current ambition and represents a transformative opportunity to turn the HKH into a powerhouse of clean energy and climate leadership for the world.”
While Bhutan and Nepal generate all their electricity from renewable sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate elsewhere—accounting for 98% in Bangladesh, 77% in India, 76% in Pakistan, 67% in China, and 51% in Myanmar.
The report also highlights an alarmingly high dependence on biofuels and waste—such as wood and dung—for cooking in countries like Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, and Pakistan. This reliance underscores persistent energy poverty and its severe consequences for air quality and public health.
The report issues a clear warning on climate risks, noting that shifting hydrological patterns and an increase in extreme events—such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)—pose major threats to the energy sector. Nearly two-thirds of existing and planned hydropower projects are exposed to potential glacier flood hazards.
“Our warming world is directly threatening the stability of energy infrastructure,” said Abid Hussain, Coordinating Lead Author of the report and Senior Economist at ICIMOD.
“Renewable energy projects, especially hydropower, can no longer be planned in isolation. Disaster risk reduction must be a cornerstone of their design, not an afterthought.”
The assessment calls for a transition toward “dam equivalents”—a suite of modern technological and institutional approaches such as upgraded irrigation systems, water-efficient agriculture, and expanded solar and wind power—to achieve water and energy security without the drawbacks of large reservoirs.
However, the report identifies major barriers hindering progress, including high upfront costs, limited public financing, challenges in attracting private investment, and inadequate policy support.
It concludes that overcoming these challenges—and realizing the full benefits of a clean energy transition, from poverty reduction and improved health to job creation and industrial development—will require stronger regional cooperation.
“For Pakistan, this report is not just about energy—it’s about national security and economic stability,” said Dr. Abid Qayyum Sulehri, Executive Director of SDPI.
“With 76% of our electricity generated from fossil fuels, we remain dangerously exposed to volatile global prices. Our share of the region’s immense solar and wind potential is a strategic asset. By investing in regional grids, we can cut our import bill, secure our energy future, and create thousands of jobs—all while protecting our people from the devastating floods climate change is already bringing to our doorstep.”
Dr. Sulehri emphasized that renewable energy is not merely an environmental solution but a driver of inclusive economic growth.
“By investing in clean power and strengthening cross-border cooperation in energy trade, technology transfer, and resilient infrastructure, we can meet today’s needs while safeguarding the well-being of future generations,” he said. “Our interconnectedness makes this not just an opportunity—but a necessity.”
