The AMI Hydropower Foundation was created in 2007 as a means to promote the scientific, technical and socio-economic aspects of hydropower, and the responsible use of water resources for the public benefit, particularly, but not exclusively, by the encouragement of education, training, study and research in the field of hydropower and water resources management.

The principal function in this respect is to facilitate delegates (water and energy professionals) from the less developed countries to attend the annual international hydropower conferences organized by Aqua-Media, which are acknowledged as the most international gatherings of hydropower experts. The Foundation thus primarily takes the form of a grant-giver.

The Foundation recognizes that major hydropower potential exists in the less developed countries, which have the greatest need for water and energy schemes. Many large-scale construction programmes are moving ahead throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America. It is essential that representatives of these countries are able to join the international hydropower community, to keep up to date with the state of the art in technology, dam and powerplant safety, planning tools, financing models, and environmental/social aspects.

The conferences bring together the world’s leading experts on technical, economic, financial, environmental and social aspects of hydropower development.

By providing delegates, who would not ordinarily have access to such conferences, with the means to attend it, it is envisaged that the following additional public benefits will arise:

Wide dissemination of technical, environmental and financial information in the home countries of participant.
Improvement and increase in the provision of reliable, low-cost, clean renewable energy.
Increased water and energy security in less developed countries, with related benefits for health and food supply
Reduction in the destructive exploitation of natural resources
Increased awareness of best practice in planning, designing, constructing and operating water resources scheme and renewable energy projects
Encouragement of best practice in social aspects, to benefit local stakeholders
Increased awareness of possible indirect socio-economic benefits of multipurpose schemes
Increased competence on communications with local people, to involve them in planning and avoid conflict

AFRICA 2017 Brochure