The World Bank, the Ministry of the Environment (MINAE), the National Institute of Electricity (ICE) of Costa Rica and the International Hydropower Association (IHA) are pleased to announce the Regional Workshop: Application of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (the Protocol): Experiences and Benefits.    

The workshop aims to share the results of the application of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol in the Reventazón Hydropower Plant in Costa Rica, to reflect on the experiences of the Protocol in other projects around the world and to have an enriching discussion about the Protocol’s concepts and use.

The Protocol seeks to improve the performance of hydropower plants on technical, environmental and social aspects.

Government officials from Costa Rica, Peru and Nepal, representatives of hydropower plants where the Protocol has been applied and international experts will meet to discuss on the challenges and benefits of implementing the Protocol for the development of more sustainable hydropower projects in Latin America.

The World Bank, through a technical assistance to the government of Costa Rica, has supported the application of the Protocol in the Reventazón Hydropower Plant. The 305 MW power plant, located in the Atlantic side of Costa Rica, is owned and operated by ICE.

In 2011, the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol was launched as a multi-stakeholder tool produced in collaboration between the international hydropower industry, financial organizations, NGOs and experts. Currently, there are more than 25 countries in the world where the Protocol has been applied and five of those are in Latin America. The Protocol assessment at the Reventazón hydropower plant represents the first assessment carried out in Costa Rica as well as in the Central America and Caribbean region.

Objectives of the workshop:

• Share information on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol as an instrument to improve planning, construction and operation of hydropower plants.
• Share the results of the implementation of the Protocol on the Reventazón Hydropower Plant in Costa Rica at its construction stage.
• Reflect on the experience of countries from South America, North America, Europe and Asia in the application of the Protocol.
• Promote exchange of knowledge with government officials, private sector representatives and international experts on the Protocol and discuss the main challenges and issues that new hydropower developments face.

Please click here to view the draft agenda. For more information about the workshop, please contact María Ubierna, hydropower sector analyst, IHA: mu@hydropower.org; or the event secretariat directly at: info@sustainablehydro.net.

Visit the website at: sustainablehydro.net