| World news Iceland
Fljótsdalur becomes first hydropower project in Europe to earn gold certification under global sustainability standard
The Fljótsdalur Hydropower Project in Iceland has become the first in Europe to receive Gold certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), marking the adoption of the standard on all six major continents. The certification recognises the Fljótsdalur project’s high performance across environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. With this, Europe joins Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania in applying the HSS to assess and certify hydropower projects. Since its launch in 2021, the HSS has become a global benchmark for evaluating sustainability in hydropower. Certification levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold – are awarded based on independent assessments covering topics such as biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, community engagement, and indigenous peoples’ rights. Eddie Rich, CEO of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), said: “Going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower – and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard is the main way to demonstrate it. Hydropower development is picking up rapidly as the world responds to the global need for green, secure, flexible and affordable electricity. But it needs to be clean as well as green. Not only is that the right thing to do – it also ensure that the asset will maximise its effectiveness and its life, and it unlocks finance and permits. That’s why we are now seeing this internationally-recognised Standard adopted in every corner of the world.”
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA), which oversees the standard, has led training and capacity-building efforts in countries such as Nigeria, Mozambique, Malaysia, France, China, and Colombia to support local implementation. João Costa, Executive Director of the HSA, said: “We are proud
to see the Hydropower Sustainability Standard applied across six continents. The progress made over the past three years has been remarkable. Not only are we seeing a growing commitment from hydropower developers to raise the bar on sustainability, but more financial institutions are integrating the principles of the Standard into their risk management frameworks. “With many more projects in the assessment pipeline across all
regions, this is just the beginning. The future of hydropower lies in transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability, and the Standard provides a clear pathway to achieving that. As adoption expands, so too does our ability to deliver real, measurable benefits for ecosystems and communities.” Certification for Fljótsdalur follows previous assessments under earlier sustainability tools. According to the HSA, its improved performance demonstrates how the HSS supports ongoing progress through action plans and regular evaluations. With global hydropower capacity projected to double by 2050 to meet climate goals, the HSS is seen as a key mechanism to ensure that growth aligns with international best practices.
China
Shuangjiangkou dam begins water storage, set to become tallest – for now China has entered the final phase of a major renewable energy project as the Shuangjiangkou dam in Sichuan province began storing water on May 1, newswires have reported. Upon completion later this year, it will temporarily become the tallest dam in the world – until the Rogun Dam in Tajikistan surpasses it by the next decade. The Shuangjiangkou Dam will reach a height of 315m, overtaking China’s own Jinping-I Dam by 10m. However, the Rogun Dam, which is under construction in Tajikistan, is planned to reach 335m upon its completion, projected for 2033. Designed to produce 2000MW of electricity annually, the Shuangjiangkou project is a cornerstone of China’s push to transition away from coal. Chinese officials estimate that the dam will offset nearly 3 million tons of coal use annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 7 million tons.
Construction of the dam began in 2015 along the upper reaches of the Dadu River, which flows from the Tibetan Plateau into the Sichuan Basin. Built at over 2,500 meters above sea level in a seismically active region, the project has faced engineering and geological challenges. According to a recent linkedin post from Dipl.- Ing. Cesar Adolfo Alvarado Ancieta,
M.Sc, the
dam abutments have an excavated slope above 60° and exposed rock is granite. The dam foundation treatment comprised a consolidation grouting of around 15m-depth and a curtain grouting approximately 100m, performed from a concrete base platform, which are applied to strengthen foundation rock with low pressure injections and to reduce both leakage and uplift pressures with deeper injections, respectively. Water levels at the project have risen above the river’s natural height – with full commissioning expected by the end of 2025. State-owned Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), which leads the project, reports the dam will generate more than 7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. Construction costs have reached ¥36 billion (roughly US$5 billion). While the Shuangjiangkou Dam will temporarily
claim the title of the world’s tallest, it is part of a broader trend: of the six tallest dams worldwide, five are in China, including Lianghekou and Baihetan, both completed in the past decade.
Malawi World Bank approves $350 million grant for Mpatamanga hydropower project The World Bank has approved a $350 million grant to support the development of the Mpatamanga Hydropower Storage Project in
Malawi. The funding, provided through the International Development Association (IDA), will help advance the country’s largest energy infrastructure project to date. The project aims to add 358.5MW of installed capacity and generate 1,544GWh of electricity annually. Once completed, the hydropower plant is expected to provide electricity to over one million households and support thousands of jobs. Malawi’s Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, said the project is the country’s most cost- effective option for addressing growing energy demands and expanding electricity access. “Once operational, this project will help drive long-term energy security and support lasting, inclusive economic growth. Energy access is fundamental to reducing poverty, fostering economic growth, and attracting private investment,” he said. Mpatamanga was developed by the Government of Malawi and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as a public-private partnership. The total cost, including financing during construction, is expected to exceed $1.5 billion. In 2022, the government selected a consortium led by Electricité de France (EDF) and SN Malawi BV – owned by British International Investment, Norfund, and TotalEnergies – as the project’s strategic sponsors through an international competitive tender. Financing will come from a mix of grants, equity, loans, and guarantees from both public
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