Oredola Adeola 

Mainstream Energy Solutions Ltd (MESL) has announced the plan to collaborate with the International Hydropower Association (IHA) to co-host a High-Level Roundtable during the forthcoming African Hydropower Week in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2024, uniting senior decision-makers from governments, funding institutions, and prominent energy firms.

This was confirmed in a statement by Mainstream on Monday and obtained by Advisors Reports.

According to the statement, the primary focus of the roundtable will be to delve into the critical role of hydropower in the ongoing energy transition towards sustainable and renewable sources.

Advisors Reports further gathered that the event is slated to hold between May 15 and 16 2024, serving as a platform for high-ranking officials from governments, financial institutions, and major energy corporations to engage in discussions centered around the pivotal role of hydropower in the global energy transition.

Mainstream said the roundtable aims to address key issues related to the advancement of sustainable hydropower, emphasizing its significance in the context of renewable energy systems, responsible freshwater management, and climate change solutions.

Anton-Louis Olivier, the Chair of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), while commenting on the significance of the forthcoming African Hydropower Week in Abuja, emphasized that sub-Saharan African countries have tapped less than 10 percent of their hydro-power capabilities during a discussion captured by Advisors Reports. 

Olivier highlighted the importance of balancing energy sources, mentioning that while Africa has abundant solar resources, solar energy alone is insufficient to support the power grid, sector, and economy.

The Managing Director, REH Group further stressed the necessity of integrating other power sources for a stable energy mix.

According to Olivier, hydropower plants will play a crucial role in balancing the energy mix in Africa.

He therefore underlined that hydropower generation stands out as a sustainable and essential source of power for the region’s development.