Forty-nine countries are participating in a new initiative by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to coordinate cooperation and dialogue on the role of hydropower in the transition to clean energy.
IRENA believes hydropower is essential to ensure the world's transition to clean energy. That is why, at the request of member countries to expand their support for hydropower technologies, the organization launched a hydropower framework in June 2020 to address pressing challenges and harness the potential for hydropower development.
Thus, during their first meeting, the participants discussed the key objectives of the hydropower framework, in particular the need to ensure the continued sustainable development of the industry and the recognition of its important role in supporting intermittent renewable energy sources and in combating climate change. In addition, during the meeting, issues of innovative technologies and experience in the operation and maintenance of hydropower facilities were discussed.
On September 24, 2020, the second online meeting of the Hydropower Framework Program was held under the chairmanship of Jean-Christophe Fug, Head of the International Energy Affairs Division of the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications of Switzerland.
“As an incentive mechanism to integrate most of the renewable energy into the grid, hydropower will play an important role in the energy sector and critical to decarbonizing the world's economy. Promoting the further development of hydropower has been and remains an important part of IRENA's activities, ”said Francesco La Kamera, CEO of IRENA during his opening remarks.
IRENA member countries have also decided to involve hydropower stakeholders from the public and private sectors. In particular, representatives of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and the World Bank were invited to share their views on the priority of hydropower development and how to bring together public and private organizations to share knowledge and identify problems and opportunities in the industry.
“In line with the goals of the energy industry, hydropower capacity is planned to be increased to 150% by 2030, so the development of sustainable hydropower requires annual investments, even more than solar and wind energy. That is why national governments must do more to make better decisions that will help find billions of dollars in investments in sustainable hydropower development, ”said IHA Executive Director Eddie Rich.
Based on IRENA's proposals, the participants agreed on future meetings, which will allow the hydropower framework program to move forward.
Recall, founded in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), IRENA supports world countries in the transition to a sustainable energy future. For example, the organization encourages governments to pursue policies that promote investment in renewable energy, provide practical assistance to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources, and promote the exchange of knowledge and technology to provide a clean and sustainable energy society.
