The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA), the Center for Renewable Energy and Water Studies (CEERA), and the Association of Users of the Electric Power Service of Palmor de la Sierra (Electropalmor) have entered a new partnership to support sustainable small-scale hydropower development in Colombia.
The agreement, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, focuses on using the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), an internationally recognized certification system that promotes best practices in environmental, social, and governance areas.
As part of the collaboration, the three organizations will work to implement the HSS across CEERA-affiliated companies. The partnership began earlier this month with an assessment of Electropalmor’s small-scale hydropower project, with technical support from HSA. The goal is to demonstrate how the HSS can be used effectively in community-led energy projects.
Beyond the initial project, the organizations aim to secure funding to expand the model to other community hydropower initiatives in Colombia and internationally. They also plan to offer training and capacity-building programs to help local stakeholders develop sustainable energy projects.
Colombia currently operates 143 small hydropower plants, with more than 100 in development. Ensuring these projects are environmentally and socially responsible is seen as important for the country’s energy transition and community development.
Joao Costa, Executive Director of HSA, said: “The Hydropower Sustainability Standard is a key tool to ensure that hydropower projects are responsible to the environment and communities. We are excited to collaborate with CEERA and Electropalmor in promoting sustainable practices in Colombia.”
Ángela María Sarmiento, Executive Director of CEERA, said: “This alliance reinforces our commitment to an energy model based on sustainability and the well-being of communities. Working with HSA and Electropalmor will allow us to advance in the adoption of international standards and in the strengthening of local capacities.”
Sol Viviana Zapata Alfonso, Executive Director of Electropalmor, said: “As an energy community, our goal is to ensure a reliable and sustainable energy supply. With this alliance, we advance in the certification of our project and in the generation of knowledge for other similar developments.”
HSA is also working with the Colombian government to promote the HSS framework and has led assessments of the 2,400 MW Ituango and 19.9 MW Chorreritas projects, both of which received Silver certification.
