IHA extends deadline for hydropower projects to apply for CHF 1 million

Hydropower project developers and operators in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia and Serbia, have a month and a half to apply for CHF 1 million (USD 1.02 million) in funds.

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) said the deadline for the Hydropower Sustainability ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Assessment Fund announced in February has been extended to June 1 from April 19. The decision comes as a response to the general disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, IHA said.

Projects under preparation and development, as well as those already in operation, are all eligible for the grant

Projects under preparation and development, as well as those already in operation, are all eligible for the grant. Applicants will need to demonstrate a strong track record or commitment to sustainability and show that their project aligns with national or regional development policies.

CHF 1 million will be awarded to 40 or more hydropower projects between 2020 and 2024

The fund was launched to aid hydropower project developers and operators in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas to benchmark and raise their social and environmental performance.

Under the initiative, a total of CHF 1 million will be awarded to 40 or more hydropower projects between 2020 and 2024.

The scheme is managed by the IHA’s sustainability division and funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

The first tranche of CHF 250,000 is available for 17 states

Successful recipients will get a grant to partly finance the cost of commissioning an independent project assessment using the Hydropower Sustainability ESG (HESG) Gap Analysis Tool, based on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP).

The HESG Gap Analysis Tool helps identify and address gaps against international good practice

The HESG Gap Analysis Tool enables hydropower project proponents and investors to identify and address gaps against international good practice. The tool assesses projects against the requirements of the HSAP’s environmental, social and governance topics.

The first tranche, CHF 250,000, will be made available this year for eligible projects in the following countries: Albania, BiH, Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Kosovo*, Kyrgyzstan, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.