It is a great honour for me to be sharing some of my thoughts with International Water Power and Dam Construction Magazine.
The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) provides a forum for the exchange of knowledge and experience in dam engineering. The organisation leads the profession in ensuring that dams are built safely, efficiently, economically, and without detrimental effects on the environment. ICOLD has directly impacted lives of billions of people where water is scarce and there is no access to safe drinking water as well as to electricity, even today.
Marvel of engineering
Large dams are marvels of engineering. Dams and hydropower are critical infrastructure having the potential to transform the economy of a nation and play a direct role in improving the lives of the people. These largest manmade structures also pose a risk if not properly maintained and operated and ICOLD has been at the forefront of promoting dam safety globally. We need to win over trust of the people living downstream of the dam. We have to strengthen and prioritise dam safety, accelerate construction of new dams for water storage, electricity generation and energy transition.
People in Global South Countries are looking to the world to help them to improve their lives, here water storage in dams and hydropower development can make a big difference. Assisting the developing countries and the Global South to accelerate development and management of their water and hydropower resources, including pumped storage plants, through professional assistance and capacity building are central to the mandate for ICOLD, and under my leadership, ICOLD will ensure these mandates are delivered swiftly and in an equitable manner to all the member countries.
A critical time for large dams
The world is passing through a very critical time. In view of the climate change, water security and energy transition problems, the role of the International Commission on Large Dams has become even more important and relevant in advocating sustainable water management issues in order to provide food and energy security in the developing world.
We need to work on water storage by constructing small or big dams. We need to reserve and preserve water to secure water resources (reservoirs storage) and also to protect them for future generations and ecosystems. These days we have to store water in any form, small or large storages, as per site conditions, wherever it is possible. We need to drive home this fact to the politicians and policy makers to prioritise water issues.
Better dams
The role of ICOLD has become very important with its philosophy to work on “Better Dams for the Better World”. We need to construct safe dams which are environmentally friendly by incorporating fish passages, environmental flow releases, better sediment management and nature-based embankments wherever possible to minimise environmental impact and enhance biodiversity.
With the use of technology, dams are becoming intelligent ensuring higher dam safety and better adherence to ecological principles. The design, operation and maintenance of dams is vital to ensure they are safe and cause more good than harm.
Chengdu Declaration
ICOLD has brought out the Chengdu World Declaration on Dams and Reservoirs for Energy Transition and Adaptation to Climate Change. Key recommendations in this Declaration include the need to:
- Expand global water storage.
- Accelerate sustainable hydropower development.
- Recognise energy storage as a strategic asset.
- Establish clear regulatory frameworks.
- Streamline permitting and approvals.
- Drive innovation.
What we also need is to work collectively to achieve these objectives. We need to work on international cooperation and the interconnectedness of water issues. There is a need for more water cooperation and to settle water regional disputes. We need to work on water resources management for the region, rather than working in isolation.
