A new guideline on Hydroelectric Power Development by the European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank has just published a guideline ” Environmental, Climate and Social Guidelines on Hydropower Development”.
It set out the EIB’s objectives for investments in hydropower projects, establishing sector-specific standards and criteria, which promoters should meet.

They also summarise best practice recommendations for integrating social, biodiversity, natural resource management and climate considerations into hydropower projects.

They have been written for use by hydropower promoters, who should take the requirements and recommendations into account from the early stages of the project development cycle, preferably during the pre-feasibility stage. The guidelines will also serve as a reference for other stakeholders with interests in hydropower projects.

It is stipulated that EIB (and where appropriate its financial intermediaries) will treat potential hydropower investments on a case-by-case basis, assessing the features of the project and information on the biophysical and socioeconomic context within which the project would be constructed,rehabilitated or refurbished, and subsequently when it is operational and,if appropriate, ultimately decommissioned. EIB will promote best practice mitigation of environmental and social impacts and risks.

> Read the environmental-climate-and-social-guidelines-on-hydropower-development