Sustainable hydropower faces a complex future as it navigates environmental and social challenges. This keynote presents the key findings from the Horizon Scan on Sustainable Hydropower, a global initiative that proactively identified the most critical issues expected to shape the sector in the future. An issue was considered important if they were expected to have a significant impact on the environmental and social sustainability of hydropower in the next 5-10 years.  

Using a structured Delphi process, an international team of interdisciplinary experts – from academia, conservation, policy, and industry – highlighted emerging challenges including climate change, environmental flows for biodiversity conservation, urgency of innovation in monitoring strategies, and social equitable benefits, among others. This talk explores these pressing issues, including the balance between energy security, ecosystem integrity, and social inclusion. It will also address global trends that will influence hydropower’s future. By anticipating these challenges, the sector can proactively adapt and promote a more sustainable and socially responsible hydropower development.

Swedish hydropower is going to be modernized, in order to achieve the greatest possible benefit for both the environment and national access to electricity. Owners of hydropower plants can receive financial grants from Vattenkraftens Miljöfond (The Swedish Hydroelectric
Environmental Fund) to adapt their facilities, enabling them to continue to produce renewable energy with less impact on the environment.

With 1 billion Euro in funding and a plan covering the environmental adaption of all 2000 hydro plants in Sweden over the coming 20 years, the fund offers more than just financial resources. It will also enable and foster collaboration and dialogue between stakeholders.

In this keynote, I will tell you the story of the fund — why the owners initiated it, what the results are so far, and the anticipated outcomes for the coming two decades.