IN-SHP Newsletter

Welcome

The International Center on Small Hydro Power (IC-SHP) welcomes all members to May's newsletter. In this edition:

Main Contents of this Issue

SHP News

The 14th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development is recently concluded

The 14th session of the CSD was held in New York from May 1st to 12th 2006. As the first year of the second implementation cycle, CSD-14 focused on progress in the following areas: Energy for Sustainable Development; Industrial Development; Air pollution/ Atmosphere; and Climate Change. It was confirmed that Renewable Energy is central to achieving sustainable development goals.  Some two billion people have no access to modern energy services. The challenge lies in finding ways to reconcile this necessity and demand for energy with its impact on the natural resource base in order to ensure that sustainable development goals are realized.

More information at http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/csd/review.htm.


IC-SHP News

The Second Hydro Power for Today Conference concluded? successfully

Co-organized by International Center on Small Hydro Power (IC-SHP), International Centre for Hydropower (ICH) and endorsed by International Energy Agency (IEA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE), the 2nd Hydro Power for Today global forum concluded successfully in Hangzhou, China on the 25th April 2006. Continuing on from the efforts of the 1st Hydro Power for Today forum held in June 2005 to promote hydropower worldwide, this year¡¯s conference focused on the influence of policies in hydropower development. The event provided a forum for discussing the interaction between policies and hydropower growth as well as sharing the experiences and lessons of participants from around the world on hydropower policy making. Presentations and panel discussions centered around five topics for this forum: hydropower development policies, environmental problems in hydropower exploitation, global hydropower development, hydropower technology and international cooperation in hydropower development.

A number of key stakeholders in the global hydropower field were represented at the conference. In total 108 participants from 52 countries and 8 international organizations as well as 145 Chinese participants attended the conference, sharing their own views and experiences on hydropower development. Among them, there were top government officials from India, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Mexico and Pakistan, senior officials from UNIDO, IHA, IEA, CIDA and IN-SHP as well as a number of diplomats representing respective embassies/consulates in China. Domestically, the Chinese government attached great importance to the conference, with officials and experts from Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Three Gorges Project Corporation and Academy of Science all making speeches at the conference.

The 2nd Hydro Power for Today conference achieved three major successes:

1. The Hangzhou Declaration on Global Hydropower Development was developed and unanimously approved at the conference. This aims to promote sustainable and environmentally responsible hydropower development in this era of increased environmental awareness.

2. By bringing together hydropower developers, policymakers, think tanks, and representatives of the various stakeholders, the conference provided a platform to discuss, exchange and formulate effective, sustainable hydropower policies, addressing the needs of all concerned parties. The presentation and papers contributed by the participants are now available on IN-SHP¡¯s website www.inshp.org. Furthermore, potential project cooperation has been established through Memorandum of Understandings, Letters of Intent and Equipment Supply Contract signed at the conference.

3. It enabled all the participants to have a better understanding of the issues shaping global hydropower development, as well as of the role of organizations like IN-SHP. As a result, participants have acquired the potential to enhance hydropower development in their country, and increase future international cooperation.

Contact yaodan@inshp.org for further details.

ICSHP strengthened relations in the Latin American Region

The Federal Offices Coordinator of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources visited INSHP last month during the 2nd Hydro Power for Today Conference. In this opportunity the representative of the Mexican government, Mr. Ren¨¦ Bolio Halloran, discussed about future cooperation projects with China and INSHP. Specially, he reaffirmed the interest in the creation of a Regional Center for Small Hydro Power and Renewable Energy development for Latin America.
1
For further details contact: erikaimhof@inshp.org

Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan

The 2nd Hydro Power for Today conference, offered the opportunity for the meeting of Professor Tong, the Director-General of ICSHP with Mr. Kayani, representative of the ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (AEDB). The main objective of the AEDB is to facilitate, promote and encourage development of Renewable Energy in Pakistan, with a mission to introduce Alternative/Renewable Energy at an accelerated rate. Following these discussions, has been signed a Memorandum of Understanding between ICSHP and AEDB. ICSHP and the Pakistan Government/AEDB agree to collaborate in developing a strategy and implementation programme to accelerate the development and upgradation of Pakistan¡¯s abundant hydropower potential and to assist the country in MHP (Micro Hydro Power) capacity building and institutional strengthening. The MoU includes a number of practical steps, like a demonstration project in the Chitral District, expert exchange, the creation of a web page, etc.

The partnership between ICSHP and AEDB will be a practical example of the cooperation the two countries committed to with the reciprocal high level visits of the past few months.

Meeting with the Albanian delegation

During the II Hydro Power for today conference, also took place the meeting between the delegation of the Government of Albania and ICSHP where areas of potential cooperation were discussed.

The government of Albania is extremely committed in the sustainable development of Small Hydropower, since the main share of total power supply of Albania comes from hydropower sources. A great number of the existent stations in Albania are using Chinese equipment but they are very old, more than 30 years. In fact many need now total refurbishment or upgrade in order to secure the national power supply match the growing demand.

As an outcome of the meeting both the parties agreed to make the needed steps with the relevant national institutions to strengthen cooperation and to develop an official road map for the realization of a technical mission of ICSHP staff with the aim of:

1. Assess the upgrade and rehabilitation need in terms of equipment for the Albanian Hydropower stations;

2. Assess the training need for Albanian technicians;

3.Presenting the appropriate Chinese equipment and facilitate bonds between the Albanian government and Chinese SHP manufacturers.


Members' Forum

Strengthening relations with Latin American Members

The Executive Director of the recent created Federation of Renewable Energy of Central America and the Caribbean (FERCCA) also visited INSHP last month during the 2nd Hydro Power for Today Conference. In this opportunity, Mr. Christian Escobar signed a formal agreement in order to develop future cooperation programs with INSHP. He empathized FERCCA¡¯s awareness regarding small hydropower in Central America. For that reason, the mentioned institution was committed to develop a training course during this year.
2
For further details contact: erikaimhof@inshp.org


Funding Opportunities

Vacancies at the University of Itajuba in Brazil

The Federal University of Itajuba in Brazil (UNIFEI) is looking for Associate Professors in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering field for its Institute of Natural Resources. Further information at www.unifei.edu.br or e-mail: cerpch@unifei.edu.br.

Job opportunity at INSHP

A managing director position is now opened at INSHP. The selected person will be able to manage the international affairs section and coordinate the foreign staff. If you are interested in apply, write us: erikaimhof@inshp.org.

Scholarship competition for Latin American students

The Inter American Development Bank invites students from Latin American countries to participate in the Third IADB Scholarship Competition. More detailed information at http://www.iadb.org/idbsurvey/takeSurvey.asp?surveyID=14.

2006 Call for Papers Journal of Hydrological Science and Technology

The Journal for Hydrological Science and Technology is a reviewed technical publication of research and practical studies on Hydrologic and related topics. The Journal was initiated by the founders of AIH in 1985 to publish regular and brief technical papers that communicate ideas, findings, methods, techniques or summaries of interesting projects or investigations. The Journal accepts papers dealing with all aspects of Hydrology and Water Resources. Contact BJ Seaburn if you want to submit a paper or if you would like to serve as a reviewer at bjesterstudio@aol.com. The submission deadline for accepted papers in Volume 22 is September 15, 2006. The 2006 Journal Volume 22 will be printed and distributed by November 30, 2006. For further information visit: http://www.aihydro.org.

First Annual Private Sector Development Research Competition

The International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group and the Financial Times (FT) invite entries for the first international private sector development research paper competition for 2005-2006.

The Theme ¡°Business and Development: The Private Path to Prosperity¡±. The competition seeks to promote the best thinking on the role of business in development. Papers should add to the global discussion on private sector development and economic growth by providing new and innovative analyses, perspectives, or ideas. The target audience can be economic and financial policymakers, the international financial community, or international/domestic investors. More information: http://www.ifc.org/competition.


Upcoming Events

1. Hidroenergia 2006
June 7-9, 2006 - Crieff, Scotland
Contact: http://www.esha.be/index.php?id=35

2. Hydropower Development and Management
June 12-29, 2006 - Trondheim, Norway
Contact: line.fjellvar@ich.no, web: www.ich.no

3. ICOLD 74th Annual Meeting and 22nd Congress
June 15-23, 2006 ¨C Barcelona, Spain
Contact: GENERAL SECRETARIAT ICOLD-BARCELONA 2006
E-mail: secretariat@icold-barcelona2006.org, web: www.icold-barcelona2006.org

4. Hidrovision 2006
July 31- August 4, 2006 ¨C Portland, Oregan, USA
Contact: www.hcipub.com/hydrovision

Click here to get PDF document of newsletter May. 2006.

IN-SHP Member Survey

In order to build a clearer idea about what type of assistance IN-SHP members need IC-SHP to provide, we have recently sent survey to all IN-SHP members. If you have not sent your response to us yet, please do so. If you have not yet received the survey from IC-SHP or if you have any questions, please contact Mr. Wang Yansong at hic@mail.hz.zj.cn

We look forward to receiving comments, announcements, news, calls for cooperation or advertisements from our readers. We would like to include MEMBER contributions in our newsletter, so PLEASE CONTRIBUTE.