Living in the rural village of Kharbang, Nepal, Pabitra Giri could not have dreamed of running a business, one that could send supplies across the country. With its lack of basic services, such as electricity, Kharbang was a typical, impoverished village in rural Nepal. But now it is the perfect illustration of how hydroelectricity, harnessing the mountainous Nepalese landscape, has lifted many out of energy poverty.<br><br>Nepal is globally low ranking in almost every determinant of economic and social welfare, with one main exception: hydroelectric power. However, deploying electricity to remote villages via a national grid is a challenge. One solution has been to utilise the abundant natural water to locally generate electricity in these villages. These “micro-hydro” projects work by harnessing the natural flow of water to turn small turbines. In Nepal, this has driven utilisation of hydroelectric power generating capacity to 92%,<sup>1</sup> providing electricity to nearly three-quarters of its rural population — a much higher proportion than in similar poor nations.<sup>2</sup> <br><br>Access to electricity allows for better schooling, the ability to run machinery, and better healthcare through the new-found use of x-ray machines and refrigerated medicinal storage.<br><br>Pabitra Giri used the electricity to power her herbal soap manufacturing business and to sell them nationwide, benefiting her family and the community.<sup>3</sup> Her village now boasts a phone repair business and even an ice-cream shop. The Nepalese are working to create a more prosperous future for themselves, demonstrating, in the process, the potential for harnessing renewable energy globally.<sup>4</sup> <br>