The Blanda hydropower project in Iceland is the 2017 winner of the IHA Blue Planet Prize, which recognises projects that demonstrate excellence in sustainable development.

The project is developed and operated by Landsvirkjun. A delegation from the company were presented with the award at the 2017 World Hydropower Congress opening dinner on Tuesday 9 May 2017.

The prize is awarded on the basis of an assessment using the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, a tool that measures the sustainability of a hydropower project across a range of social, environmental, technical and economic aspects.

The Blanda project scored international proven best practice on 14 out of the 17 topics that were assessed. Standout successes include:

• excellent relations with the communities and local stakeholders
• comprehensive social and environmental compensation measures in the form of highland re-vegetation and local infrastructure
• social benefits provided over and above the licence requirements

You can watch a short video documentary about the Blanda project here.

Find out more about the protocol at www.hydrosustainability.org.

Find out more about the IHA Blue Planet Prize here.