| Asia
Asian offices Prior to launching the 2024 World Hydropower
Outlook in Southeast Asia during September 2024, the IHA inaugurated its Southeast Asian office in Jakarta, in partnership with the Indonesia Hydropower Association (INAHA) and the Indonesian state-owned electricity company, PLN.
With Indonesia setting ambitious targets for
hydropower capacity by 2070 and stepping up to prove itself as a renewables leader in the region, IHA President Malcolm Turnbull says the opening of this new office “underlines this important work which will need to continue if we are to reach our goals”, adding it shows the association’s commitment to working in partnership with its members to back this. INAHA Chairman Adi Lumakso said they were
excited to be working with IHA “to continue the legacy for sustainable hydropower in Southeast Asia”. And Darmawan Prasodjo, President Director of PLN, said such collaboration with IHA and INAHA “gives us a sense of pride and hope that we’re not facing climate change alone. Climate change is a global issue that must be addressed collectively. Therefore, PLN cannot bear this burden alone; the only way to move forward is through collaboration,” he says. Key findings from Southeast Asia, as documented
IHA’s 2024 World Hydropower Outlook, include: Indonesia’s commitment to unleashing its huge hydropower potential, with plans to boost capacity from 6.7GW to 72GW total capacity by 2070. The Philippines aiming to reach 35% renewable energy share by 2030. To deliver this target, two major projects – the 800MW laguna pumped storage hydropower facility and the 8.4MW Maladugao River hydropower plant are in development. Thailand is targeting a 30% renewable mix by 2037, with 3GW of hydropower and a hydro floating solar hybrid project in the pipeline. Malaysia is setting up its first 50 MW floating solar unit on a hydropower reservoir. Vietnam’s hydropower capacity is expected to grow to 29.35 GW by 2030.
Smart solutions Although hydropower currently provides over 50%
of energy in the Lower Mekong region, it faces increasing challenges from climate variability, ageing infrastructure, and the need to meet growing energy demands. And this is where Smart Hydropower Solutions are aiming to transform the optimisation of hydropower systems in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, ensuring sustainable and equitable energy access.
Called SMART-HS, this new project is led by Louise Slater, who is Professor of Hydroclimatology at the University of Oxford’s School of Geography and Environment. The three-year project, which was recently awarded over £2 million through UK Research and Innovation’s Ayrton Challenge Programme, will develop cutting-edge monitoring and forecasting technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of the region’s hydropower networks. SMART-HS will support cleaner, more reliable energy generation, particularly in underserved rural areas, while fostering inclusive and sustainable practices.
www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2025 | 13
Slater said the team is excited to be working with its co-investigators in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to develop novel technologies integrating sensors and satellite-based monitoring with existing models and machine learning to support the energy efficiency and safety of the existing network of small hydropower plants.
SMART-HS will use low-cost, real-time monitoring
systems combined with advanced predictive analytics to enable hydropower plants to better respond to fluctuating energy demand and water availability. By integrating data on weather patterns, water levels, and infrastructure safety, the project will enhance the performance of hydropower networks while reducing risks to downstream communities. As Slater explained: ‘A core focus of the project is
to empower local communities and ensure that all regions benefit from advancements in clean energy. This includes providing training to local operators and fostering gender equality in the energy sector to ensure no community is left behind.’ SMART-HS is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Oxford, the University of Edinburgh, and international partners in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, including the Hanoi University of Mining and Geology and the National Centre for Water Resources Planning and Investigation. The project builds on Oxford’s expertise in sustainability and international development, addressing global energy challenges in a rapidly changing world. The methods and technologies developed in this project could be adapted to other transboundary hydropower systems worldwide, creating a scalable model for sustainable energy transitions.
SMART-HS is funded under the Ayrton Challenge
Programme, which supports pioneering research aimed at addressing urgent global climate and energy challenges. It is one of 13 such funded initiatives to focus on enabling equitable transitions to low-carbon energy systems in developing countries.
Below: Indonesia is preparing to unleash its huge hydropower potential with plans to boost total capacity to 72GW by 2070
Above: There are far-reaching implications of drought and water shortages in Iraq, one of the world’s most water stressed countries © John Wreford /
Shutterstock.com
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