Leading figures and projects within the hydropower industry were celebrated at the World Hydropower Congress for their commitment to sustainable hydropower, with the recipients of the Blue Planet Prize and The Mosonyi Award for Excellence in Hydropower being announced.
The coveted International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize for 2023 was awarded to Hydro-Québec's Eastmain-1 Development, recognizing their outstanding work in engaging indigenous groups and becoming the first facility to achieve Gold-level certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. This accolade not only highlights excellence in sustainability but also underscores the importance of respecting indigenous communities within the industry.
Claudine Bouchard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Infrastructure Officer at Hydro Québec, emphasized: "Respect for Indigenous peoples is a fundamental requirement of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. We are honored to receive the IHA's Blue Planet prize, which is a tribute to how the Cree communities and Hydro-Québec teams collaborated during the development of the Eastmain-1 installations."
Malcolm Turnbull, President of the IHA, commended Eastmain's achievement, stating: "We are delighted to award the 2023 IHA Blue Planet Prize to Hydro-Québec's Eastmain-1 Development. The project has demonstrated a real commitment to transparency and good practice. We welcome Hydro-Québec's passion for sustainable development and encourage all our members to pursue certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard."
Out of eight projects that have published assessments since the standard's launch in 2021, three were shortlisted based on their exceptional results: Pamir Energy's Sebzor project in Tajikistan, EPM's HidroItuango project in Colombia, and Hydro Québec's Eastmain-1 project in Canada.
The Mosonyi Award, designed to acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to the hydropower community, recognized Roger Gill for his remarkable decades of service to the IHA and his two exceptional terms as President of the Board, and Zhilin Wang, a veteran hydropower engineer and former director of the Baihetan hydropower station construction department, for his remarkable contributions to the growth of hydropower and sustainability in Asian markets, particularly during his tenure at China Three Gorges.
Roger Gill's tenure on the IHA Board since 2001, followed by his election as President in 2019 and re-election in 2021, saw a transformation in the organization. Under his leadership, the IHA evolved from a membership organization primarily focused on knowledge-sharing within the sector to an external-facing, evidence-based advocacy organization promoting sustainable hydropower.
Gill's guidance led to a shift in the membership model, emphasizing values and setting clear expectations for members, resulting in a significant growth in both numbers and engagement. His contributions to the Association are paving the way for a stronger voice for sustainable hydropower and a greater likelihood of achieving global net-zero objectives.
Upon receiving the Mosonyi Award, Roger Gill expressed his gratitude: "It is a true honor to accept this prestigious award. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with IHA and connected with so many fabulous people. I'm proud of what's been achieved over the past 20+ years through the efforts of great people and committed organizations – we are no longer an industry in defensive retreat, but a strong, innovative, and outward-looking sector."
Wang's illustrious career includes influential projects such as the Three Gorges project. Having recently retired as a Board member of CTG Construction Engineering Corporation and Director of Baihetan Engineering Construction Department, he received the award as both a representative of CTG's dedication to advancing sustainable hydropower and as an individual in his own right.
"I am honored to accept the Mosonyi Award for Excellence in Hydropower on behalf of both myself and China Three Gorges. This prestigious award is testament to the dedication of everyone at CTG to advance sustainable hydropower and the hard work that has made projects such as Three Gorges and the Baihetan hydropower station a great success. Thank you to IHA and all my colleagues," Wang remarked.
