Global hydropower body urges industry to manage water; invest in multi-purpose infrastructure

UK-based International Hydropower Association (IHA) has urged the industry to use hydropower as a means to better manage water in the face of climate change.

According to IHA, in response to climate change, water management is considered as the core issue to deal with and water infrastructure plays a critical role in the global water security scenario, by providing buffer against increasing hydrological variability.

International Hydropower Association programme director Tracy Lane said that investing in multi-purpose hydropower projects will play an important role in water management when facing the challenges of climate change.

"Water storage can protect communities from the impacts of unpredictable floods and droughts, and revenues from hydropower can help finance water management infrastructure," Lane added.

IHA is seeking to promote incentives for multi-purpose use of stored water to optimise the benefits for the communities.

International Hydropower Association Sustainability director Cameron Ironside said the organisation is urging investors and operators to use the existing hydropower sustainability assessment tools for the development of hydropower projects.

"With 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation, it is relevant to highlight the role that integrated water and energy infrastructure asset management plays in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation across the world," Ironside added.

IHA has developed the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol tool to evaluate project sustainability and maximise benefits.
Sustainable hydropower infrastructure provides solutions for water management needs.

IHA is a non-profit organisation that works to build and share knowledge on the role of hydropower in renewable energy systems, freshwater management and climate change solutions.

---

Image: The International Hydropower Association is urging investors and operators to invest in multi-purpose and water storage infrastructure in climate-restrained world. Photo: Courtesy of Vincent de Groot.