Prajesh Bikram Thapa, CEO, HIDCL
I began my professional career in early 2001 AD at Himalayan Snax and Noodles, shortly after completing my graduation in Mechanical Engineering, at a time when job opportunities for fresh mechanical engineers were quite limited. Despite these constraints, I was fortunate to have early professional exposure and build my career foundation. My first engagement in the hydropower sector came later with the Middle Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project.
I developed key skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and result oriented. The role also helped me build a strong foundation in professional values and sectoral knowledge, which proved essential for my future growth and leadership opportunities.
In retrospection, Persistence, Perseverance and Patience played key role for shaping my career growth. The first job experience laid a strong foundation for my growth into leadership.
The journey towards Hydropower sector
After entering the hydropower sector, I never seriously considered switching to another career path, as the sector continuously offered meaningful challenges and opportunities. Exposure across the full spectrum, working with contractors, consultants, clients, and energy financiers, deepened my understanding and reinforced my commitment to remain in this field.
The key strengths that helped me advance to leadership roles include deep sectoral knowledge, strong teamwork and endurance complemented by a clear focus on goals and objectives.
Several key milestones have shaped my career and professional philosophy. Each challenge and achievement I encountered provided valuable lessons, strengthened my skills and guided my approach to leadership and decision-making.
Management practices in HIDCL
At HIDCL, we are actively implementing management practices and institutional reforms to enhance efficiency and investment impact. This includes streamlining processes, optimizing resource allocation and adopting advanced digital solutions to improve transparency, accelerate critical decision-making, and maximize returns.
I am dedicated to advancing strategic investments in Nepal’s energy sector by developing a strong and resilient financing ecosystem. My approach moves beyond traditional lending, combining domestic capital with innovative financial instruments and also focusing on de-risking investments to attract both local and international investors.
Risks and returns
We maintain a careful balance between achieving strong long-term returns and managing the inherent risks associated with hydropower investments. This is ensured through rigorous project appraisals covering technical, financial, environmental, and managerial aspects, complemented by risk mitigation strategies such as structured financing, diversified portfolios, portfolio management, progress monitoring and phased funding.
We prioritize investments on projects with strong technical and financial viability, strategic sectoral impact and alignment with national energy priorities. Financial resources are managed through prudent planning based on cash flow analysis to maximize capital efficiency while human resources are deployed strategically, leveraging specialized expertise in project appraisal and risk management.
Hydropower Projects financing
HIDCL’s portfolio spans the entire lifecycle of energy projects, from pre-construction to commercial operation, covering both debt and equity financing. Currently, our total involvement is over 4000 MW with over NPR 6000 crore of loans and equity commitment.
Regulatory frameworks and government policies are very important for shaping the Investment strategies, including for HIDCL. The government priorities, taxation, polices, budgetary support, licensing and approvals, and other investment friendly environmental enhances the business opportunity.
HIDCL prudently maintains funds in fixed deposits to ensure liquidity, while actively expanding its investment portfolio across hydropower, renewable, and emerging energy sectors. At present, we are focusing on business expansion and diversification to accelerate and optimize fund utilization.
Prospects and challenges
The key challenges are the decision-making processes, consistent policies, funding gaps, governance, monitoring, risk management, and political stability. We are focusing on mitigating such challenges, particularly, fast track investment decisions, de-risking projects, various forms for financial solutions, both equity and debts funds. This shall boost private capital mobilization in the sector.
Build strong sectoral knowledge, and regulatory landscape. Combine this with adaptability, problem-solving, and effective communication to excel in your professional journey. Stay proactive, seek mentorship, and view challenges as opportunities to grow.
