Lessons learned |
Can hydropower resolve the energy crisis?
If sustainable hydropower is to fulfil its critical role in future energy systems, the industry needs to move forward and learn from past mistakes
Above: Described as being “the need of the hour”, the future is looking bright for pumped storage
“I THINK OUR WORK has never been more important as we come together at a critical time in history,” said Roger Gill, President of the International Hydropower Association. Speaking about the current energy crisis with escalating prices around the world, and conflict and tension in many regions, Gill said that it’s driving us to think about energy security and a faster transition to wind and solar. “So there’s a huge opportunity for sustainable hydropower to fill the hole left by coal,” he added. Hydropower may be the grandfather of renewables but, according to the IHA’s President, “never has there been such a need for our industry” – not only in the fight to prevent climate change but to help with mitigation and ensure water and energy security. Hydropower has an essential role to play in the global path to net zero as it is key to the growth of other renewables: without hydropower, investments in wind and solar will not be enough. Gill welcomed the recent comments from the Clean
Energy Council’s CEO Kane Thornton, who described hydropower as having “a renaissance” and who’s role in the future energy system is “now accepted as critical” to complement and support the growth of variable power, as well as working alongside batteries and other forms of energy storage.
16 | February 2023 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
“If people are saying that’s not the case, then they are
mistaken,” Gill said. “This is clearly the trend and people who are making significant grid decisions are now recognising the importance of this. But for hydropower to play that role, given the investment required, we’ve got to get going on significant investments urgently,” he warned, stating that to double hydropower across the globe over next 30 years, decisions need to be made now. “Our comment to everybody is business as usual will not get the job done.” Gill also spoke about the fact that “as hydropower has been around for a while” the industry has had plenty of time to learn from past mistakes and that, he says, “is really important”. He urges the industry to avoid making old mistakes: sustainability must be at the heart of all decisions. “We know that hydropower won’t grow to its full
potential unless it’s done and is perceived to be done sustainably,” he said. “We’ve got to come out and show people that it can be done sustainably, and we know that if it’s done right, it does have significant environmental and social benefits for communities, and delivers multiple positive impacts for people and groups across the world.” Gill lists four things that need to be done:
1. Mobilise stakeholders at a global and local level.
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