Former Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, has been named the new President of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), taking over the role from Roger Gill. The announcement was made ahead of the World Hydropower Congress in Bali, set to commence on October 31, 2023.
On his election, Turnbull said: “The stakes have never been higher. The world is on a catastrophic path to a 2.7 degrees Celsius increase in global warming. This is far beyond the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit that was agreed by the international community as part of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Renewables are key to addressing this challenge. We do not need new technologies; we have the tools to do the job now. It is a matter of political will and choice.
Highlighting hydropower's significant role as the largest renewable energy source, Turnbull pointed out its unique advantage of complementing solar and wind energy by providing backup power during periods of low sun and wind activity. He expressed his enthusiasm about taking up the position and contributing to the advancement of sustainable hydropower.
Turnbull's appointment comes after a successful tenure by Roger Gill, who oversaw IHA's transformation into an outward-facing, values-based advocacy organization. Gill, who served as President since 2019, praised the organization's progress in promoting sustainable hydropower across more than 100 countries. He expressed confidence in Turnbull's leadership, stating that his personal commitment to the sector makes him an ideal candidate to drive the mission forward.
Before entering politics, Malcolm Turnbull enjoyed a diverse international career in law, business, and media. During his tenure as Australia's Prime Minister, he announced the ambitious Snowy Hydro 2.0 project, the southern hemisphere's largest pumped hydro scheme. Since leaving politics, he has continued his involvement in the business sector, serving as a senior adviser to KKR and supporting various Australian technology ventures. He currently chairs the Green Hydrogen Organisation and has co-chaired the IHA-hosted International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower. Moreover, Turnbull frequently engages in speaking and writing on a range of topics, including cyber security, geopolitics, and renewable energy.
