Born in October 1963, Dr. Sandip Shah is an experienced hydropower engineer, energy specialist, project and construction management professional and independent power producer of Nepal. Dr. Shah has completed his B.E. in Civil Engineering from University of Roorkee in 1986 following which he completed his Master’s in Applied Science in Structural Engineering (1988) and Ph.D. in Rock Engineering (1992) from University of Toronto, Canada.

After completing his Ph.D. in 1992, Dr. Shah has worked as a consultant for the investigation, design and construction of infrastructure and hydropower projects in Nepal, including the Kali Gandaki “A” (144MW), Upper Bhote Koshi (45MW), Khimti (60MW), Middle Marsyangdi (70MW), Likhu-IV (51MW), Trishuli-Devighat Hydropower Upgrading Project (45MW), Indrawati-III (5MW), etc.

Currently, Dr. Shah is Chairman and Managing Director of Pashupati Renewables Pvt. Ltd. – a renewables energy development company with a portfolio of hydro and solar assets totaling appx. 100MW in Nepal. He is also the founder Chairman of Sandip Shah Consult Pvt. Ltd. (SSConsult) which provides advisory services to multilateral banks, e.g. Asian Development Bank (ADB), commercial banks e.g. Standard Chartered Bank, and international hydropower project developers. Currently, he is advising ADB on project readiness review for technical, ESG, financing and power markets for the 635MW Dudhkoshi Storage Project, and is conducting techno-economic evaluation of 5 hydro and 2 solar projects for Standard Chartered Bank. With his extensive experience in power trade in the South Asian electricity market, he has promoted a power trade and energy exchange company called “Power Trade and Energy Exchange Ltd” where he is the Senior Technical Advisor.

From November 2017 through October 2020, Dr. Shah was Managing Director of Dolma Himalayan Energy in Nepal, and was responsible for developing Peak Energy Management Systems using Solar PV and Battery Energy Storage Systems (150 MWp + 100 MWh BESS). He was also supporting Dolma’s hydro and solar assets, and was providing guidance in areas including the Nepal and international power sector, project design and management, financing, PPA and other government contracts/licenses, team structuring and technology.

He was on the Board of Directors of Butwal Power Company (BPC) from January 2019 to January 2023,  and participated in several sub-committees of BPC, viz. Risk Management Committee, Hydro-Consult Engineering, Remuneration Committee and several Project Steering Committees.

Till September 2017, he was General Manager of Himal Power Ltd. – a Statkraft Company – responsible for operation and maintenance and overall management of the 60MW Khimti Hydropower Plant. Prior to this assignment, he was Vice President and Country Director for Statkraft and SN Power in Nepal, and was working on the development of Tamakoshi-3 (650 MW) HEP as Project Director and expansion of the Khimti Project, termed Kirne Power Project (67 MW). He was member of the Board of Directors of Himal Power Ltd., which owns and operates the 60MW Khimti I Power Plant, from 2007 to 2015.

Prior to this assignment, he was General Manager of the Bhote Koshi Power Company, which owns and operates the 45MW Upper Bhote Koshi hydropower plant in Nepal representing Panda Energy International, Inc. of USA.

He has worked as Project Director at Shah Consult International (P.) Ltd. From 1992 to 2000 and was involved in rock mechanics related design and construction of surface and underground structures for hydropower (Kali Gandaki A, Middle Marsyangdi, Trishuli Devighat, Khimti, Bhote Koshi, etc.), infrastructure and transport projects in Nepal.

He is the founder member of Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) and its President from 2001-2010; founder President of Nepal Tunnelling Association (NTA) from 2011-2017, and founder President of Solar Power Producers’ Association (SOPPAN) from Jan 2023 till date.

His interests include music, photography, trekking, technology, computer programming, physical fitness, solar and other renewable energies, meditation and The Art of Living. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Kathmandu and General Secretary of The Art of Living Nepal Apex.