The National Hydropower Association (NHA), Ontario Waterpower Association (OWA), Hydropower Foundation and Kleinschmidt Associates announced the third annual “Ear to the River” survey findings.
The intent of this annual survey is to help owners of hydroelectric facilities and all professionals working in the hydro power and greater renewable energy industries better understand the key issues and opportunities that the industry expects to face in the next few years, Kleinschmidt said. This information is intended to help inform about opportunities in this clean energy sector. This survey data can also assist in lobbying efforts by providing data on how various policies could impact the role hydro plays in transitioning to a clean energy future.
The report lists six key findings:
Hydro Industry Challenges — 56% of survey respondents believe that the shortage of workers will be the most pressing challenge for the hydro industry in the next three to five years. And 25% believe that compensation for power and non-power benefits will be the most pressing challenge.
Hydro Workforce of Today & Tomorrow — Almost 80% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied working in the waterpower industry. About 50% of respondents entered the industry through working in a related business. Less than 30% of all respondents entered the industry because they were interested in waterpower. The industry is not doing enough to promote hydro as a career.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Programs — The 2022 Ear to the River survey indicated very low participation in EDI. The results for 2023 were more encouraging, with about 80% of NHA respondents noting they have EDI policies in place. OWA’s survey noted that 87% had EDI policies.
Pumped Storage Development — Almost 80% of respondents believe that new pumped storage projects built in the next 10 years will be larger than 500 MW. Survey respondents noted high capital costs of construction, regulatory hurdles and the market for ancillary services as the greatest obstacles to pumped storage development.
Dam Safety — Over 60% of the industry expects the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to allow the use of drones and robots to perform detailed inspections in the next three to five years, though few have proposed these types of inspections. About 50% of U.S. respondents are actively assessing the use of robots/automation to replace tasks historically performed by staff.
Hydro Investment — Over 30% of U.S. asset owners responding to the survey expect to spend $10 million to $50 million over the next five years in refurbishments and upgrades. Release of grant funding is expected to help stimulate more robust investment in this sector in the next several years. Over 70% of survey respondents said that grants were the most important government programs for capital investments.
“The 2023 survey results show that workforce remains the most pressing challenge for the industry and that we’re not doing enough to promote hydropower as an excellent career choice,” says Tim Oakes, Business Sector Leader, Power and Energy, with Kleinschmidt.
As the team prepares for the 2024 edition, they seek thoughts, questions and ideas from industry peers on increasing participation and engagement in future surveys.
