The International Hydropower Association (IHA) has been re-elected to the steering committee of the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21). Elections took place during the 16th REN21 steering committee meeting and general assembly on 7 October 2015 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

These meetings were attended by Richard Taylor, IHA’s chief executive, who was among the distinguished individuals elected to the new committee. Representing REN21’s diverse membership, the steering committee is composed of individuals drawn from international organisations, national governments, NGOs, research institutions and industry associations.

The International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the World Bank Group and Asian Development Bank (ADB) are also all represented in the new steering committee.

REN21 is a global multi-stakeholder network which provides policy leadership and authoritative information to facilitate the increased penetration of renewables into energy systems across the world. The network supports international policy and decision making by providing high quality information on renewables, while fostering productive debate and dialogue.

IHA’s re-election to the REN21 steering committee confirms hydropower’s role in the renewables family. Hydropower can enable the greater penetration of other renewable technologies. As an energy storage technology, and because of the speed at which hydropower plants can bring power online, hydropower is an essential element in renewable energy systems which include less predictable energy sources such as wind and solar power.