• Organisations around the world are joining forces to call for urgent investment in hydropower to combat climate change, accelerate progress towards net zero and strengthen energy security
• Campaign highlights how a pathway to net-zero and greater energy resilience is possible
• Governments have not made sufficient progress in planning for the transition to renewables.
Voith Hydro is joining forces with organisations around the world to call for urgent investment in hydropower to combat climate change, accelerate progress towards net zero and strengthen energy security.
The new campaign is spearheaded by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) under the slogan We can, with hydropower and supported by a coalition of developers, operators, manufacturers and industry associations around the world. It highlights how a pathway to net-zero and greater energy resilience is possible by harnessing sustainable hydropower as a complement to variable renewables such as wind and solar.
The campaign comes after world leaders at COP26, the United Nations climate change conference, committed to “phase down coal” and accelerate the shift towards renewables. While the Glasgow Climate Pact was welcome, governments have not made sufficient progress in planning for the transition.
Commitments now need to be translated into policies, investments and tangible action ahead of COP27 in Egypt this November. The new campaign will shine a light on hydropower’s benefits and advance solutions for building a sustainable and secure energy future.
Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia and Board member for IHA, said: “We are at risk of stalling on the progress made at COP26. It will not be possible to deliver on our climate goals unless we start talking seriously about hydropower’s role in strengthening renewable energy systems.”
Uwe Wehnhardt, President and CEO of Voith Hydro summarises this role as follows: “As flexible and grid-stabilising energy source, hydropower’s full-load hours and also storage capabilities are making the integration of wind and solar power into the grid possible. In that way, urgently needed CO2 reductions are enabled globally.”
Eddie Rich, Chief Executive for IHA, said: “We cannot afford any more delays in taking action to shift away from fossil fuels like coal. With hydropower, we have a proven, clean technology that can supercharge the deployment of renewable energy systems and set us on the pathway towards net zero.” Hydropower generates electricity all year round and has low running costs, providing affordable energy for communities over the long term. “But projects can take up to a decade to build and require significant upfront investment. If we do not act now, then we will miss our opportunity to set a realistic course for net-zero by 2050,” he continues.
About Voith Hydro
The Group Division Voith Hydro is part of the Voith Group and a leading full-line supplier as well as trusted partner for equipping hydropower plants. Voith develops customized, long-term solutions and services for large and small hydro plants all over the world. Its portfolio of products and services covers the entire life cycle and all major components for large and small hydro plants, from generators, turbines, pumps and automation systems, right through to spare parts, maintenance and training services, and digital solutions for intelligent hydropower.
About IHA
The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is a non-profit membership organization with a mission to advance sustainable hydropower. Learn more: www.hydropower.org
“We can, with hydropower”
We can, with hydropower is an evidence-based campaign that highlights the many benefits that hydropower can provide to society if developed responsibly and sustainably. These benefits include providing clean, affordable electricity generation and energy security for grids increasingly reliant on fast-growing solar and wind power. Wider benefits include supporting the decarbonisation of industries, as well as protecting communities through providing water management infrastructure.
Find out more at www.hydropower.org/wecan and follow the hashtag #WithHydropower on social media to stay up to date with the campaign.
The campaign launch coincides with two significant events in the water and energy sectors. World Water Day, an annual United Nations observance day on 22 March, highlights the importance of fresh water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people around the world living without access to safe water.
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