Tobies Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
An initiative funded by the Swiss government inaugurates its launch with a commitment to assess the Skavica project.
The Albania Power Corporation (KESH) intends to embed sustainability principles into the design of its planned 250 MW Skavica project, in accordance with international hydropower guidelines and assessment tools.
At the launch event for the new Western Balkans hydropower sustainability initiative, KESH’s Head of Environmental and Social Sector, Anni Kallfa, said she looked forward to applying the Hydropower Sustainability Tools, which are focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. “While electricity is the focus of the company, KESH also aims to adopt changes in the business environment, technology, financing opportunities and environmental protection,” she said.
Over the next year, experts from the International Hydropower Association (IHA) will offer capacity building training for KESH staff and assist them to implement good practices and undertake project reviews using the tools. This will be followed by an assessment of Skavica by an independent team.
The initiative aims to ensure that new hydropower schemes in the Western Balkans region are built in accordance with international good practices. It is a joint collaboration of IHA, KESH and the Government of Switzerland.
One of the objectives is to equip regional stakeholders with the tools and knowledge to ensure that projects are developed and operated responsibly, without the need for long-term external assistance.
The launch webinar organised on 10 March 2021 offered a platform for local stakeholders to discuss and share expertise on how to implement sustainability standards in hydropower development in the Western Balkans.
Countinue reading at:hydropower.org
