Around 100 high-level executives from the Asia-Pacific region attended the event, which was convened to discuss hydropower development in the region.
The Forum provided insights into SEB’s development programme in the State of Sarawak. This programme plans electricity output in Sarawak to grow from 6TWh in 2011 to more than 30TWh by 2015, with a further 30TWh possible by 2020.
“The potential of hydropower in South-East Asia, particularly in Sarawak, Malaysia is enormous. Through the SCORE (Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy) initiative, it will transform Sarawak into a high income economy by 2020,” said Sarawak Energy’s Chief Executive Officer, Torstein Dale Sjøtveit
It also focussed on the role of the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol in guiding sustainable development in the region.
A dynamic panel discussion provided insight into the latest developments in hydropower sustainability, hydropower’s role in driving regional integration and regional development, appropriate regulatory frameworks, human resource skills within the hydropower sector, and the evolving role of hydropower in a changing energy mix, with contributions from a diverse range of actors, including governments, civil society and the hydropower sector.
The Forum also offered an opportunity for participants to learn more about next year’s iha World Congress on Advancing Sustainable Hydropower, taking place for the first time in Asia, in Sarawak, Malaysia, from 21-24 May 2013.
Delegations from around 100 countries are expected to attend the IHA World Congress, which will bring together senior representatives of governments, international organizations, public and private sectors, financial institutions and civil society.
The Congress provides an international forum to present and discuss real-world solutions to energy, water and climate challenges, aiming to inform policy, shape action and set future strategy in the hydropower sector.
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