Financial opportunities with the Hydropower Sustainability Standard

In the era of climate finance and increasing emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations, banks and private institutions face challenges when it comes to strategically investing funds in climate-friendly projects. Hydropower investments often involve substantial upfront costs, complex financial models and long-term financial horizons. Moreover, environmental concerns and a lack of social acceptance can lead to delays in many hydropower projects.

Independent ESG standards can minimise risks to investments and provide a universal language to communicate credentials and increase stakeholder trust. The Hydropower Sustainability Standard, which is aligned with the requirements of the World Bank, the Climate Bonds Initiative and recommended in the RE100 technical criteria, among others, can provide the needed assurance for financiers to make informed choices when investing in hydropower and avoid funding the wrong projects. 

This session will highlight the vital role that financiers play in driving sustainability in the hydropower sector, and explore the business value of the Standard and how it can be used to attract investments from international financial institutions, the private sector, insurance companies, green bond mechanisms and carbon markets.

Speakers:

• Sushil Pokharel, Founder, Bizbell (Moderator)‍
• Bhishma Pandit, Upstream Operations Officer, IFC ‍
• Mohamad Irwan Aman, General Manager, Sustainability, Sarawak Energy ‍
• Usha Khatiwada, Team Lead, USAID Urja Nepal Programme ‍
• Istiana Mafuchah, Senior Analyst, Financial Services Authority OJK of Indonesia‍
• Kavin Kumar Kandasamy, CEO, Proclime