Hydropower is a sustainable source of renewable energy and is part of the solution to climate change. However, the development and construction period of a hydropower project is very long and therefore it is very challenging to finance them. The International Financial Institutions (IFIs) that typically finance hydropower projects as lenders have a mandate to achieve positive measurable sustainable outcomes on a project. The role of the Lender’s Engineer is possibly of an arbitrator enabling them to accomplish that objective by harnessing the healthy tension between the sponsor and the lenders regarding their approach to project development, construction and operation and perception of risks. The resulting project updates that are considered and agreed results in not only realising a successful project but also achieve positive outcomes for both the sponsor and the lender