Swedish centre for sustainable hydropower

Sweden, Europe and the world are facing an unprecedented change towards electrification.

This electrification cannot take place without an updated and sustainable hydropower that is an enabler of other renewables through flexible, reliable and secure energy and power supply.

To fully take this role new knowledge is required on the balance between hydropower production of electricity, environmental impacts, security, and societal concerns. Sweden therefore needs a competence centre focusing on key technologies and environmental issues for regulated rivers.

The new centre will address issues related to (i) Ensuring that the facilities are safe and have a long-life span i.e., 60-100-years in operation. (ii) Implementing measures for ecological rehabilitation of riverine ecosystems, and (iii) Optimizing the use of the water to meet the needs both for renewable electricity and safeguarding biodiversity also considering climate change.