| Sustainable hydropower Reaching net zero and achieving green
energy security The International Energy Agency, in the IEA Special Report 2021, stated that “reaching net zero emissions by 2050 worldwide calls for a huge increase in hydropower ambitions”. Hydropower provides an alternative to coal that can be developed at the scale needed to achieve our net zero goals. According to the IEA, around half of hydropower’s economically viable potential worldwide remains untapped. In comparison to fossil fuel-fired generation,
hydropower avoids up to four billion tonnes of additional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually Hydropower is also the perfect complement to wind
and solar power, providing flexibility and storage when the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine. But the challenge we face is an urgent one. Due to
hydropower’s long lead-in times, projects can take several years to complete. Unless action is taken now to invest in new capacity and modernise the existing hydropower fleet, reaching net zero by 2050 may be out of reach.
Action for governments Governments have an opportunity to work with
industry and communities to accelerate the energy transition. The campaign suggests five ways governments can build a secure, green energy system: 1. Increase the ambition of renewable energy and climate goals by setting targets that support hydropower alongside wind and solar.
2. Ensure policy and market mechanisms are in place to develop clean energy storage and flexibility in renewable energy systems.
3. Offer financial incentives to support sustainable hydropower such as long-term power purchase agreements or feed-in tariffs.
4. Explore ways to integrate and expand renewables, such as adding solar photovoltaics to reservoirs, modernising existing plants, or retrofitting non- powered dams with hydropower.
5. Promote the exchange of knowledge and good practices to ensure that all energy developments are delivered sustainably.
We can, with hydropower calls on governments to implement the recommendations of the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower, issued at the World Hydropower Congress in September 2021 (see more details at
https://declaration.hydropower.org/). At the heart of the Declaration is a recognition that sustainable hydropower is a clean, green, modern and affordable solution to climate change. It says that going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower. ●
Did you know?
● COP26 called for coal power to be phased down, with over 2,000 GW of coal capacity currently installed worldwide
● Global hydropower capacity needs to at least double to 2,600 GW by 2050 to put the world on a pathway to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C (IEA)
● Hydropower avoids up to four billion tonnes of additional
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually versus coal-fired generation
● Around 60% of hydropower’s economically viable potential in emerging economies and developing economies is untapped (IEA)
● Investment in hydropower can help generate some 600,000 skilled jobs over the coming decade (IRENA)
www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2022 | 29
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