Energy security in a changing world: hydropower’s essential role

The energy transition is entering a new phase; one in which security of supply and strategic autonomy are becoming increasingly important. The deterioration of geopolitical relationships, coupled with the proliferation of conflicts, trade tensions, and supply chain disruptions, has exposed structural vulnerabilities in energy systems.

Hydropower and pumped storage represent universally relevant solutions. Hydropower is not only a provider of low-carbon electricity generation and storage, but also essential system services, enabling the utilisation of domestic, renewable resources, offering a pathway to reduce external dependencies while supporting a secure and resilient energy transition.

While resource endowments and system needs vary across regions, the ability to harness or improve the utilisation of water and electricity resources is applicable across all regions and economic contexts. As such, these technologies offer scalable opportunities for countries at all stages of development to enhance system resilience, integrate variable renewables, and advance both energy security and sovereignty objectives.  

This plenary will take a global perspective on energy security, exploring the strategic role of hydropower in strengthening power systems, supporting communities and enhancing infrastructure resilience to best enable energy sovereignty. Speakers will discuss how investments in pumped storage, modernisation of existing hydropower assets, and sustainable development practices can help countries meet rising demand while navigating evolving risks and uncertainties in the energy landscape.

Session objectives

• Discuss the evolving energy transition, and in particular energy security challenges.  
• Demonstrate the unique properties that hydropower and pumped storage have that enable energy security.  
• Showcase the need for and how countries are supporting resilient infrastructure.  
• Clarify what stakeholders should consider as part of maintaining energy security and sovereignty.

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