Eurelectric has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Hydropower Association (IHA) aimed at enhancing collaboration to advocate for hydropower's vital role in the energy transition. The partnership will focus on promoting policy support to maximize hydropower's flexibility and pumped storage potential.
The Belgian-based electricity industry association emphasized that, amid turbulent European climate policies and challenging energy geopolitics, security of supply and affordability must remain paramount on policymakers' agendas. “Hydropower can and must be part of the solution,” Eurelectric stated.
The association highlighted that hydropower provides firm and flexible power generation when wind and solar resources are unavailable, accounting for 90% of Europe's storage capacity. However, despite its advantages, this century-old renewable source is not receiving the recognition it deserves. “It is time to change that,” Eurelectric added.
“Hydropower is a crucial resource for Europe's energy transition and security of supply. We must prioritize refurbishing and upgrading our existing hydropower plants and expand pumped storage capacities,” said Eurelectric's Secretary General Kristian Ruby. He expressed eagerness to collaborate with the IHA, stating, “I look forward to collaborating with the IHA to fully unlock hydropower's potential across Europe.”
The cooperation will focus on three key pillars: closing knowledge gaps among policymakers, ensuring a supportive policy framework for various hydropower plants, and boosting pumped storage hydropower leading up to 2025. The two associations aim to increase awareness of the diverse technologies within hydropower, foster a favorable policy environment that accelerates investments, and partner at the 2025 International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower 2.0 in Paris to further raise awareness of this technology.
