The Ngonye Falls Hydroelectric Project in Zambia has been awarded a Gold certification after being assessed under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS).
The project excelled in several areas including labor and working conditions, in addition to governance and procurement, per the International Hydropower Association. It has also demonstrated best practices in communications and consultation, having achieved broad stakeholder support after engaging local communities through a partnership approach. The Ngonye Falls project scored over 60% in each of the 12 topics’ advanced requirements, making it eligible for a Gold certification against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
The 180-megawatt (MW) project is expected to be completed in 2028.
“The Ngonye Falls project is a prime example of how benefit-sharing agreements can deliver genuine value to local communities,” said Joerg Hartmann, independent consultant and lead assessor. “It also demonstrates the development impact of bringing power to a remote and underserved region. The area surrounding Ngonye Falls is one of the poorest where we have assessed a hydropower project. There will be challenges still to address in terms of risks to biodiversity, cultural heritage and aesthetics. But we can have confidence in the systematic and proactive approach that the developers have taken from the outset.”
Ngonye Falls is also featured as a case study in the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance’s How-to Guide on Hydropower Communications and Consultation, which outlines how to identify and engage with both internal and external stakeholders and details the steps necessary to align with the principles of the HSS.
The Hydropower Sustainability Standard was launched in September 2021 at the International Hydropower Association’s World Hydropower Congress and is meant to help ensure that hydropower projects around the world are recognized and certified for their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Developed by a coalition of industry, governments, multilateral and financial institutions, and civil society organizations, the certification scheme aims to build trust and promote transparency in the hydropower sector.
Hydropower projects must meet strict ESG performance criteria after an independent assessment to be awarded a Certified Sustainable Hydropower label. Projects can be certified during planning, construction, and operation, and the highest performers are recognized with Silver and Gold certification status.
Hydropower developers and operators seeking certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard can access a grant to part sponsor the cost of an independent project assessment. Up to CHF1 million (US$ 1.02 million) is available for 40 or more projects over four years. The Hydropower Sustainability ESG Assessment Fund is managed by IHA’s non-profit sustainability division and funded by the Swiss government’s State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
