Spotlight |
A step in the right direction
As the International Hydropower Association shifts its focus towards plans for 2024, we recap on some of its achievements over the past year
MORE, BETTER, FASTER IS the International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) focus for 2024, according to Head of Policy, Dr Gordon Edge. “More projects must come forward but they need to be of high quality and given permits quicker,” he said. Commitment to such a pledge was emboldened by action taken at COP28, where over 130 countries signed up to triple renewable energy generating capacity to 11,000GW and double energy efficiency by 2030, signalling a reduction in worldwide dependence on fossil fuels. “When the history books are written about this era, 2023 is likely to be the year in which it became clear that the transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewables really was inevitable,” Edge said. However, he warned, it is not just a matter of tripling
Above: The Bali Statement on Powering Sustainable Growth was released at the World Hydropower Congress 2023 in Bali, Indonesia. It states that sustainable hydropower must be the backbone of national strategies to build thriving, low carbon economies bolstered by clean, renewable energy
renewables but about achieving the right mix to complement one another. While getting sufficient capital to more than double the deployment rate of hydropower to meet the net zero pathways, as set out by the International Energy Agency and the International Renewable Energy Agency, will be a huge challenge, Edge pointed out. IHA views the COP28 agreement as being “a step change in the world’s journey to a clean, secure and just energy future”. It also heralds the start of a new era of collaboration where industry and government will need a laser sharp focus to enable the accelerated transition towards a renewables future. As Eddie Rich, CEO of the IHA, commented: “Whilst the overall outcome from COP28 is mixed, the sustainable hydropower community welcomes the commitment the world’s leaders have made
on the future for renewables. To triple renewables deployment without falling back on fossil fuels will require the flexibility and storage that only hydropower can bring at scale. Finding models that incentivise sustainable hydropower requires political will and action.”
World Congress Speaking at the 2023 World Hydropower Congress
where over 300 organisations and 50 countries gathered in Bali, Indonesia, IHA President Malcolm Turnbull confidently re-iterated that sustainable hydropower will have a crucial role to play in the journey to net zero, and will be the backbone of future energy systems. A key outcome of the congress was the release of the Bali Statement on Powering Sustainable Growth which states that sustainable hydropower must be
Below left: This year, Hydro-Québec’s Eastmain-1 Development was the winner of IHA’s coveted Blue Planet Prize with particular merit for their work engaging indigenous groups. The facility was the first to receive the Gold-level certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard
Below right: IHA President Malcolm Turnbull holds a discussion with Al Gore at COP28 in Dubai. IHA representatives spoke at many events including a session at the Indonesian Pavilion on the Bali Statement and at the Tajikistan Pavilion on the Nexus and Hydropower Climate Services
8 | February 2024 |
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