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European organisations advocate for inclusion of hydropower in net-zero technologies
In a joint effort to highlight the pivotal role of hydropower in achieving the European Union’s (EU) climate neutrality goals, Eurelectric, in collaboration with the EU Hydropower Alliance and vgbe energy e.V., issued a compelling letter urging legislators to include hydropower in the list of “strategic net-zero technologies” under the Net-Zero Industry Act. The letter, titled “European Hydropower - A strategic net-zero
technology,” emphasizes the unique contributions of hydropower and its indispensability in achieving the EU’s sustainability targets. As negotiations for the Net-Zero Industry Act reach their final stages, proponents argue that recognizing hydropower as a strategic player is essential for a sustainable and resilient EU power system. Hydropower, standing as the second-largest renewable energy
source in the EU, annually generates 355 TWh of electricity. The letter highlights the unparalleled flexibility of hydropower, playing a crucial role in ensuring the secure and stable operation of the electricity grid. Pumped storage hydropower, constituting over 90% of available EU storage capacity, offers essential services for electricity storage, absorbing excess generation and avoiding curtailment.
As the EU aims to add 621GW of new variable renewable electricity capacity within six years, the proponents argue that hydropower’s flexibility and storage capabilities will become increasingly important in meeting these ambitious targets.
The letter emphasizes the need to secure Europe’s competitive advantage in clean technologies, citing past mistakes in solar manufacturing that are now being corrected. Europe, having solidified its standing as a world leader in hydropower technology, possesses a transparent and sustainable value chain, reducing dependence on critical raw materials and fossil fuel imports. The authors stress that Europe is strategically positioned to capitalize on opportunities arising from investments in the modernization of existing and development of new hydropower plants globally. Highlighting the importance of comprehensive water management strategies in the face of climate change, the letter underscores the adaptability of hydropower plants. These plants can regulate flood events, strategically release water during droughts to safeguard ecosystems, agriculture, and facilitate navigation. Additionally, hydropower plays a crucial role in ensuring a reliable water supply for various applications, including drinking, irrigation, industrial processes, and firefighting. The authors of the letter urge Members of the European Parliament and Permanent Representatives of EU Member States to recognize the undeniable importance of hydropower and include it in the list of “strategic net-zero technologies.” They argue that the Net-Zero Industry Act will enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the industrial base of net-zero technologies, forming the backbone of an affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean power system in the EU.
Africa SEFA allocates $9.72 million to advance modernization of African hydropower fleet The African Development Bank-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has granted $9.72 million to propel the Africa Hydropower Modernisation Programme (AHMP). This initiative, serving as a comprehensive platform, aims to revamp hydropower systems across the continent, augmenting their reliability and adaptability. The infusion of funds will facilitate the
expansion of AHMP’s ongoing efforts, focusing on 12 private-sector-led projects spread across eight countries, selected through a competitive process. The initiative anticipates an additional 570MW of available capacity, requiring an estimated investment of $1 billion, inclusive of contributions from the private sector. Furthermore, these projects are expected to curtail greenhouse gas emissions by 1700 kilotons of CO2 equivalent annually. The grant, greenlit on November 21, 2023, is poised to make substantial strides in Africa’s energy transition.
Among the noteworthy projects is the enhancement of Sudan’s Roseires plant, a 280MW facility, through the upgrade of its cooling water system. This measure aims to mitigate forced outages. Additionally, the initiative includes the replacement of electromechanical equipment over 60 years
old at the Lubilanji 1 plant in the Democratic Republic of Congo, boasting a capacity of 7MW. Speaking on the significance of the project, João Duarte Cunha, the African Development Bank Division Manager for Renewable Energy and SEFA Manager, emphasized: “About half of Africa’s hydropower assets are over 30 years old and ageing fast; modernizing them with the latest electro-mechanical and digital technologies is the fastest and cheapest way to increase clean energy capacity and enhance system flexibility needed to accelerate energy transition efforts.” This initiative aligns with the Bank’s New Deal on Energy for Africa, a plan striving to provide universal access to energy across the continent. The strategy prioritizes the adoption of low- carbon technologies, tapping into Africa’s abundant hydro, solar, geothermal, and wind resources. The modernization of hydropower systems emerges as a pivotal element in Africa’s energy transition, ushering in reduced dependence on fossil fuels and facilitating the integration of variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind. The AHMP was established in 2021 by the African Development Bank Group, kickstarted with a $1 million grant from SEFA. The program’s objectives encompass enhancing low-cost, low-impact installed capacity, fortifying the reliability and flexibility of African power systems, and supporting hybridization solutions such as floating solar PV. Notably, the initiative is anchored in a strategic
partnership with the International Hydropower Association (IHA), which recently conducted a comprehensive mapping of modernization needs and opportunities across the continent’s hydropower fleet.
Norway
Record-breaking investments unveiled by Statkraft in Norwegian hydropower and wind projects European renewable energy generator Statkraft has announced plans to invest €6 billion in a comprehensive overhaul of its hydroelectric and wind power infrastructure – the largest investment program of its kind in hydro and wind power in Norway for decades. Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, the CEO of Statkraft, expressed the magnitude of this investment program, highlighting its pivotal role in the green transition and its positive impact on the broader energy system. “ This will be a major contribution to the energy system in Norway and to the green transition. It will also have positive effects on the Nordic and European energy markets,” he said. The extensive investment program is designed to address the increasing power demands and enhance flexibility within the evolving power system. Rynning-Tønnesen emphasized the crucial role of hydropower in facilitating the integration of intermittent power sources like wind and solar for a successful transition to a net-zero future.
www.waterpowermagazine.com | February 2024 | 5
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