New partnership to strengthen small-scale hydropower sustainability in Colombia
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) has joined forces with the Center for Renewable Energy and Water Studies (CEERA) and the Association of Users of the Electric Power Service of Palmor de la Sierra (Electropalmor) to advance sustainable small-scale hydropower development in Colombia.
A new Memorandum of Understanding between the three organisations aims to strengthen the sustainability of community hydropower projects by applying the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) an internationally recognised certification framework that ensures projects are aligned with environmental, social and governance best practices.
As part of the collaboration, the organisations will work together to promote the adoption of the HSS across CEERA-affiliated companies. The partnership commenced last week with the assessment of the Electropalmor project, supported by technical guidance from HSA. This initial step aims to demonstrate how the Hydropower Sustainability Standards can be effectively applied in a small-scale, community energy context.
The partnership commenced with an assessment of Electropalmor pilot project
On a wider scale, the partners will collaborate to secure funding that can help scale the model to other community-led hydropower projects in Colombia and across the globe. Training and capacity-building programmes will also form a key part of these efforts, designed to equip local stakeholders with the tools and knowledge needed to develop projects sustainably.
“Responsible to the environment and communities”
Colombia currently operates 143 small hydropower plants and has more than 100 in development. Ensuring these projects are socially and environmentally responsible is critical to the country’s energy transition and community development goals.
Joao Costa, Executive Director of HSA, said: “The Hydropower Sustainability Standard is a key tool to ensure that hydropower projects are responsible to the environment and communities. We are excited to collaborate with CEERA and Electropalmor in promoting sustainable practices in Colombia.”
Ángela María Sarmiento, Executive Director of CEERA, said: “This alliance reinforces our commitment to an energy model based on sustainability and the well-being of communities. Working with HSA and Electropalmor will allow us to advance in the adoption of international standards and in the strengthening of local capacities.”
Sol Viviana Zapata Alfonso, Executive Director of Electropalmor, said: “As an energy community, our goal is to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply. With this alliance, we advance in the certification of our project and in the generation of knowledge for other similar developments.”
HSA is committed to working with partners worldwide to accelerate the adoption of sustainable hydropower practices that benefit communities, nature and the climate. In Colombia, the organisation is also working with the government to promote the principles of the HSS, and has facilitated assessments of the 2,400 MW Ituango and 19.9 MW Chorreritas projects, both of which achieved Silver certification.
