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2023 World Hydropower Congress Programme

Key:

Plenaries
Parallel sessions
Workshops
Networking event

31 Oct

Morning sessions
Opening plenary: powering sustainable growth
Time: 09:00 – 10:00 WITA
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Welcome address and opening plenary: Powering Sustainable Growth

Industrial growth needs power, and sustainable growth needs clean, green, affordable and renewable power. The Welcome Address and Opening Plenary will set the stage for the Congress, showcasing the important role that sustainable hydropower plays in helping governments provide opportunities for their citizens whilst meeting net-zero objectives.

Launch of the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance
Time: 10:00 – 11:15 WITA
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Opening plenary: powering sustainable growth

Industrial growth needs power, and sustainable growth needs clean, green, affordable and renewable power. The Welcome Address and Opening Plenary will set the stage for the Congress, showcasing the important role that sustainable hydropower plays in helping governments provide opportunities for their citizens whilst meeting net-zero objectives.

ASEAN high level dialogue
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Digitalisation in Hydropower

Digital technologies are playing a disruptive role in the energy industry. Major challenges, including access to finance, are hindering the development of this vital resource in Africa. This session will dive into the opportunities to overcome these challenges

This session will explore developments and trends in this area, focusing on how the hydropower sector is upgrading for the digital age and showing the potential benefits for the hydropower industry and to electricity more broadly.

Multi-purpose benefits of hydropower: lessons from around the world
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Breaking down the barriers to hydropower development: Streamlining licensing and permitting

Development of hydropower projects typically takes 10-15 years. But with the need to take urgent action on climate change, is there a way to make this process more efficient? This session will look at global and local initiatives, including the  work of the Planning for Climate Commission, to accelerate the realisation of hydropower and other renewable energy projects, including streamlining the permitting process.

How hydropower can contribute to flexible, stable and low-carbon grids
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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How hydropower can contribute to flexible, stable and low-carbon grids

As electricity grids become more dependent on variable sources of generation such as solar PV and wind, the need for deep storage and flexibility will increase in line with decarbonisation. This session will explore hydropower's critical role in enabling the energy transition and how it supports keeping the lights on.

Hydropower's role in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Floating solar: challenges and opportunities with hydropower

This session will raise awareness of floating solar photovoltaic systems as a concept; facilitate a discussion between solar and hydropower sectors and the potential for collaboration between the two sectors, and explore available technology options and technical guidance for best practice.

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Lunchtime session
Networking event
Time: 09:30 – 10:15 WITA
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Women in Hydropower: networking event

Networking opportunity for women professionals in hydropower to meet and discuss common challenges of working in the sector.

Afternoon sessions
Welcome address
Time: 13:30 – 15:00 WITA
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Launching the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance

Join the hydropower community to mark the launch of the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, a multi-stakeholder, not-for-profit certification organisation working to improve sustainability performance of hydropower projects worldwide through the adoption of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.

Pushing the limits of hydropower: an inside look at XFLEX HYDRO
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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XFLEX HYDRO – lessons from Europe on integrating hydropower

The pathway to a net-zero economy is posing unprecedented challenges to European power systems and to achieve a safe energy transition we must make sure that the flexibility potential of the existing fleet is maximised. The XFLEX HYDRO consortium has extensively studied and successfully implemented a set of innovative hydropower technologies, such as Variable Speed, Battery Hybridisation, Hydraulic Short Circuit and Plant Digitalisation; this session will be a unique opportunity to discover its key results and recommendations.

Breaking down the barriers to hydropower development: Streamlining licensing and permitting
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Hydropower's role in decarbonising hard-to-abate industries

In 2021, industrial activity was directly responsible for roughly a quarter of global CO2 emissions (IEA 2022). The demand for electricity is likely to go up between 2 to 3 times by 2050, largely driven by electrification of end uses (buildings, transport and industry).

This session will focus on the opportunities hydropower offers to support the decarbonisation of the industry overall, along with ways in which we can develop a greener supply chain for the hydropower industry.

Powering the clean energy transition in East Asia and Pacific
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Water management and clean energy nexus

This event will demonstrate best practice to develop joint, climate-resilient investments in water, energy, agriculture and the environment.

Financial opportunities with the Hydropower Sustainability Standard
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Financial opportunities with the Hydropower Sustainability Standard

Independent ESG standards minimise risks for investors, provide a common framework to communicate credentials and increase stakeholder trust. This session will explore the business value of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard and how it can attract investments through international financial institutions, private sector, insurance companies, green bond mechanisms and carbon markets.

Powering the clean energy transition in South and Central Asia
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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Powering the clean energy transition in Asia and Oceania

Asia offers significant hydropower potential, with the region accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the world’s installed capacity and annual generation. This session will present the latest trends and developments shaping the region including: an overview highlighting where capacity has been added as well as significant policy and project updates; and short deep dives into key countries in the region from local experts and policy makers.

Powering the clean energy transition in Africa
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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Powering the clean energy transition in Africa

Africa has the largest untapped potential for hydropower development in the world. Sustainable hydropower presents an opportunity for economic development, the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and resilience to climate change.

Challenges are hindering the development of this vital resource in Africa especially access to finance, climate resilience and adaptation.

Europe's energy security crisis: the global lessons for hydropower
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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Powering the clean energy transition in Europe

This session will investigate hydropower’s role in the European energy transition. This includes reviewing the capacity targets that will be required to support the large deployment of variable renewable energies to achieve a net-zero economy. Discuss key challenges, including financial, technical and regulatory aspects that are limiting the expansion and modernisation process of the hydropower fleet in Europe.

Powering the clean energy transition in the Americas
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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Powering the clean energy transition in the Americas

Hydropower is a mature technology in both North and South America.

In this session we will discuss the opportunities and challenges, specifically, modernising ageing infrastructure, increasing regional interconnectivity, building social acceptance of projects and designing market mechanisms that value the full services of hydropower.

The future of hydropower: young energy professionals event
Time: 09:30 – 10:15 WITA
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The future of hydropower: Young energy professionals event

Networking opportunity for students and young professionals in hydropower to learn and discuss common challenges of working in the sector

1 Nov

Morning sessions
Diversity, equity and inclusivity in hydropower
Time: 08:00 – 09:15 WITA
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Diversity, equity and inclusivity in hydropower

If we are going to develop more hydropower, we are going to need the best and brightest people from diverse backgrounds. At this workshop, we will aim to present the results of the Women in Hydropower report, highlighting the barriers to women in the sector and recommendations to overcome them.

Unlocking sustainability potential through capacity building interventions
Time: 08:00 – 09:15 WITA
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The future of hydropower in emerging economies 

To accelerate the clean energy transition, we need to support the growth of sustainable hydropower in the economies which will grow the fastest both in economic and population terms and have the greatest potential for hydropower development.

This workshop will bring together the key stakeholders from  emerging economies to discuss the role of sustainable hydropower in their economic development.

Diversity, equity and inclusivity in hydropower
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Clean Energy For All

This plenary session will explore how sustainable hydropower – big or small - can support access to clean energy for all citizens on and off the electricity grid.

Clean energy for all
Time: 09:30 – 11:00 WITA
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Clean Energy For All

This plenary session will explore how sustainable hydropower – big or small - can support access to clean energy for all citizens on and off the electricity grid.

Pump it up: challenges and opportunities for pumped storage hydropower
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Pump it up: challenges and opportunities for pumped storage hydropower

Pumped storage currently represents ~90% of installed electricity storage, but substantially more will be needed to support the integration of variable renewable energy as countries plan for their net zero targets. This session will focus on new developments in pumped storage hydropower, exciting policy announcements and the massive potential for off-river pumped storage hydropower.

Hydropower modernisation: the next generation of hydropower development
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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How hydropower is classified

This session will explore how hydropower and other renewable sources of energy are defined in finance and policy guidelines such as the EU Taxonomy and national green policies with a view of providing recommendations about ensuring that it is consistently classified as renewable

Integrating hydropower sustainability through system level planning
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Clean Energy For All

This plenary session will explore how sustainable hydropower – big or small - can support access to clean energy for all citizens on and off the electricity grid.

Lunchtime session
Women in Hydropower: networking event
Time: 12:30 – 13:30 WITA
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Session title

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Afternoon sessions
Hydropowering net zero
Time: 13:30 – 15:00 WITA
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(Hydro) Powering net-zero

"Sustainable hydropower is a clean, green, modern and affordable solution to climate change. Going forward, the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower". Building on these key principles of the San José Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower, this plenary session will focus on sustainable hydropower's role in helping governments meet their net-zero objectives and "fill the hole left by coal".

Powering the clean energy transition in Indonesia
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Powering the clean energy transition in Indonesia

Indonesia's energy sector is transitioning from hydrocarbons to renewables, especially hydropower. The government of Indonesia has pledged to achieve net zero targets by 2060.

This session will bring together key players from within the country - government, companies, communities and financiers to explore plans for an inclusive transition.

Hydropower in an interconnected world
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Hydropower in an interconnected world

Future energy systems will pool energy resources across countries, optimising hydropower alongside other renewables.

This session will highlight the benefits of regional interconnection and hydropower potential for regional markets.

Better market frameworks for hydropower development
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Financial mechanisms to incentivise investment

Most policy and market frameworks do not adequately incentivise investment in greenfield hydropower development. Given the long lead times involved, investment decisions are needed now to ensure solutions are available in advance of market needs.

This session will focus on some financial mechanisms that countries have recently started implementing (e.g. Australia, India, Poland, France), as well as findings from the World Hydropower Outlook.

Global Renewables Alliance: Introducing 'The Renewables'
Time: 15:30 – 16:45 WITA
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Introducing 'The Renewables'

An event for the Global Renewable Alliance to introduce itself to the Hydropower sector, Government, Industry and launch ‘The Renewables’ A team of energy super heroes fighting for a clean energy transition.

Communicating hydropower: lessons in advocacy
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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Communicating hydropower: lessons in advocacy

This session will discuss using campaigns for driving change with a deep dive on IHA’s #WithHydropower activity and Global Hydropower Day with examples from Asia, Canada and Africa.

De-risking investments in pumped storage hydropower
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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De-risking investments in hydropower

This workshop will seek hydropower industry input to better understand the risks that impact pre-construction and construction of hydropower projects.

Future-proofing hydropower against climate change: the Climate Resilience Guide
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 WITA
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Using the Climate Resilience Guide

The Hydropower Sector Climate Resilience Guide provides up to date information and practical suggestions on how hydropower developers and operators can make their plants more resilient to the effects of climate change. This session will explore how this guide is being used, and bring together practitioners to provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Hydropower awards ceremony: gala dinner
Time: 09:30 – 10:15 WITA
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Hydropower Awards Ceremony: Gala dinner

Join us for the World Hydropower Congress' Gala dinner where you will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from around the world.

Additionally, the recipients of the IHA Blue Planet Prize and Mosonyi Award, will be announced during this event.

2 Nov

Morning sessions
IHA General Members Meeting
Time: 08:00 – 09:15 WITA
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Diversity, equity and inclusivity in hydropower

If we are going to develop more hydropower, we are going to need the best and brightest people from diverse backgrounds. At this workshop, we will aim to present the results of the Women in Hydropower report, highlighting the barriers to women in the sector and recommendations to overcome them.

Assessing GHG emissions from reservoirs
Time: 08:00 – 09:15 WITA
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The future of hydropower in emerging economies 

To accelerate the clean energy transition, we need to support the growth of sustainable hydropower in the economies which will grow the fastest both in economic and population terms and have the greatest potential for hydropower development.

This workshop will bring together the key stakeholders from  emerging economies to discuss the role of sustainable hydropower in their economic development.

Beyond power: hydropower’s role in managing the world's water resources
Time: 09:30 – 11:00 WITA
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IHA General Assembly

This is the bi-annual General Meeting of IHA's members. Whilst it is open to the public to observe, only members and their Primary Representatives will be invited to participate.


An agenda will be circulated in advance.

Financing hydropower to meet 2050 targets
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Hydropower modernisation: the next generation of hydropower development

Over 40% of hydropower’s global fleet is at least 40 years old. This is both a huge challenge for the sector, as well as an excellent opportunity to make sure that the existing  fleet is ready to support the evolution of a modern power system and increase its resilience towards extreme climatic events.

This session will review the current drivers and trends in modernisation, offering the opportunity to review successful cases and identifying the main barriers currently limiting investment in these projects.

Floating solar: challenges and opportunities with hydropower
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Session title
Measuring up: the case for standards in
sustainability claims
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Measuring up: the case for standards in sustainability claims

Standards are critical to promote transparency and trust in sustainability claims. This session will discuss the need for standards for best practice in sustainability and how those are being applied to the hydropower sector.

Transforming the hydropower workforce for a just transition
Time: 11:30 – 12:30 WITA
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Jobs and skills: challenges and opportunities in the hydropower workforce

A career in hydropower provides access to many of the most exciting opportunities in the global economy, with the potential to appeal to a wide spectrum of society.  This session will look at the many opportunities and challenges in securing the next generation workforce needed to deliver the renaissance in hydropower.

Lunchtime session
Networking event
Time: 09:30 – 10:15 WITA
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Session title

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Afternoon sessions
Stakeholder Forum
Time: 13:30 – 15:30 WITA
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Stakeholder Forum

From pumped storage hydropower to climate finance, if you are looking for an opportunity to share views, commitments and recommendations to the Congress, the Stakeholder Forum is an opportunity for members of the sustainable hydropower community to provide a short statement for posterity.

Closing Ceremony
Time: 15:45 – 16:15 WITA
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Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony will bring an end to three days of plenaries, sessions, and workshops, summarising conclusions, next steps and presenting the Congress deliverables that will be taken on to COP28.

IRENA Collaborative Framework on Hydropower: special Focus on Pumped Storage (Invite only)
Time: 1700-1830 WITA
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Closing Ceremony

The Closing Ceremony will bring an end to three days of plenaries, sessions, and workshops, summarising conclusions, next steps and presenting the Congress deliverables that will be taken on to COP28.

Cirata Tour

In addition to attending the World Hydropower Congress, we are also offering attendees an opportunity to tour the Cirata hydropower project.

The tour price is USD 315 per person plus 11% VAT, and it includes a round-trip airline ticket (Bali – Bandung – Bali), one-night's accommodation at a hotel in Bandung and transportation from the Bali and Bandung hotels to the airport.

During this tour, you will visit Cirata, the largest hydropower project in Indonesia. The HPP is sourced by the Ciratum river in West Java, around 60 km northwest of Bandung. The Cirata HPP comprises eight units of power plants with a total installed capacity of 1,008 MW, with an average electricity production of 1,428 GWh per year.

The tour will also include a site visit of the 145 MW Cirata floating photovoltaic (PV) plant, which is under construction. When completed, it is reported that it will be the second largest floating PV plant in the world. The plant is being built on a 225 ha section of the Cirata Reservoir and will be integrated into the Java-Bali grid, which is the backbone of Indonesia’s electricity supply, providing power to more than half of the nation’s population.

The Cirata floating PV plant is expected to generate 245 million KWh of electricity per year. Due to the location of the floating PV plant's installation in the Cirata Reservoir and its complementarity with the existing hydropower plant, the variability can be minimised. This highlights the key role hydropower can play in accommodating a rising share of variable renewables.

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