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The toolkit takes a two-pronged approach – knowledge sharing and succession planning – to help all hydropower organizations prepare for worker turnover and avoid operational disruptions due to knowledge loss. It offers a structured five-step plan to guide
organizations through succession planning and knowledge sharing processes. These steps include assessing risks, documenting essential skills, and creating strategies to maintain and transfer critical knowledge. The resource includes worksheets, questions, and other tools to facilitate comprehensive planning. Funded by the US Department of Energy’s
Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO), the toolkit is available for free to hydropower industry partners.
Africa
Africa boosts hydropower capacity by 2GW in 2023, yet significant gap persists says report Africa, known for its abundant water resources, took a significant stride in hydropower development last year, adding 2GW to its capacity. However, this growth highlights a glaring gap, with only 10% of the continent’s potential being realized, according to the upcoming World Hydropower Outlook set to be unveiled on 12 June 2024. The expansion in hydropower capacity
across Africa in 2023 marks nearly a doubling from the previous year’s figures. Key contributors to this surge include Nigeria with 740MW, Uganda with 408.2MW, the Democratic Republic of Congo with 381.7MW, and Tanzania with 261.7MW. This progress underscores the continent’s potential to leverage its water resources for sustainable development and economic prosperity. Public-private partnerships have played a pivotal role in facilitating the financing and execution of major hydropower projects. Additionally, regional cooperation initiatives are gaining momentum, offering promising avenues for further development. However, challenges such as limited access to finance, volatility, and governance issues persist, hindering infrastructure expansion. African energy leaders convened in Abuja in
May to strategize on bridging these gaps and accelerating hydropower development. The urgency is underscored by the imperative to meet the continent’s growing energy demands while advancing towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Recent studies commissioned by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) emphasize the urgent need for rehabilitating numerous hydropower plants across Africa. The AfDB has taken a lead role in this effort, earmarking a US$1 billion investment to upgrade twelve hydropower plants.
Eddie Rich, CEO of the IHA, emphasized the pivotal role of hydropower in Africa’s energy
landscape, stating: “ With significant solar power coming onto the African grids, it is imperative that Africa’s hydropower potential is realised to ensure that reliable electricity supply is balanced and readily available. The development of hydropower in Africa is not just about generating electricity; it’s about empowering communities, driving economic growth, and charting a sustainable path towards a clean energy future.” Despite positive strides in renewable energy
development, a significant deficit in global capacity persists. Eng. Lamu Audu, Managing Director/CEO of Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited and Vice-Chair of IHA, stressed the importance of strategic partnerships and innovative investment frameworks in unlocking the necessary capital to realize Africa’s hydropower potential. “We need to turn aspirations into action, propelling Africa towards a future powered by clean, sustainable energy,” he said.
Sweden Fortum to overhaul Malta hydropower plant Fortum has announced plans to undertake a significant modernization project for the Malta hydropower plant in Uvån, located in the municipality of Hagfors, Sweden. The investment earmarked for this project amounts to approximately €20 million (SEK 250 million). Established in 1914, the Malta hydropower
plant stands as the inaugural power facility in Uvån, constructed to ensure consistent electricity provision for the Hagfors community. Presently, the plant plays a pivotal role in furnishing clean energy to households and industries in the region. Fortum’s investment aims to enhance the plant’s longevity and operational efficiency, securing sustained electricity production for the next five decades. Annual production is expected to increase by 5GWh to 33GWh per year, following the work, The modernization project includes a
comprehensive overhaul of the plant’s infrastructure. By revamping its systems, the Malta hydropower plant aims to better integrate into and contribute to the regulation of the energy supply, particularly in a landscape marked by an increasing reliance on weather- dependent energy sources. Scheduled to commence in spring 2024, the modernization work is slated for completion by autumn 2026.
Nepal Tunnel breakthrough achieved at Tanahu hydropower project A major milestone has been reached at the 140MW Tanahu hydropower project in Nepal with breakthrough of the 1.4km headrace tunnel achieved, meaning the project is now 50% complete. The breakthrough was achieved on 31 March
2024. Contractor Tractebel was at the Tanahu headworks site to mark the occasion, in the presence of representatives from the Nepal Electricity Authority, the Ministry of Energy, local authorities, other contractors and project personnel. Tractebel’s team in Germany, collaborating with Canada’s Manitoba Hydro International, is tasked with executing the contract for Tanahu Hydropower Limited. Their responsibilities include preparing tender documents, evaluating tenders, overseeing construction, checking designs, and providing advisory services throughout project operation and maintenance. The first of the three construction packages (headworks; waterways, power plant, and hydromechanical works; and the 33-km transmission line) began in December 2018. The project is expected to be commissioned in 2026. The Tanahu hydropower project is anticipated to generate approximately 1.1TWh of renewable energy, with an initial output of 586GWh expected within the first decade. This significant contribution promises substantial benefits to both the people and economy of Nepal. The project is also poised to enhance the stability of the national grid while facilitating energy exports to neighboring countries like India, thereby furthering regional energy cooperation.
“Since the headrace tunnel is the only
waterway between the reservoir and the underground powerhouse, resilience and serviceability are vital factors for the entire lifetime of the project,” said Renos Christakis, Senior Engineering Geologist with Tractebel in Germany. “For the last 29 months, the contractor’s designer, its engineering geologists and hundreds of workers, with the support and technical input of Tractebel and in particular its geologists, worked together and managed to excavate a large-span underground structure through challenging rock mass conditions; conditions that required excellent cooperation, mutual understanding, real-time support optimization techniques, diligent monitoring and above all, engineering integrity.”
Italy
Lazard Asset Management joins forces with Renfin for hydropower investments Lazard Asset Management (LAM) has announced it has formed a strategic partnership with Renfin which will target investments in small- scale hydroelectric power plants across Italy. Lazard’s Sustainable Private Infrastructure Fund (Lazard SPI Fund) will combine its investment and financing expertise with Renfin’s established reputation in the ownership and operation of small hydropower plants across Europe and beyond. “Hydropower appeals to us as an investment
class due to its long economic lifespan, low risk of technological obsolescence, and its crucial role in delivering cost-effective and dependable
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