Update on Activities
Upcoming Activities at Waterpower!
US Hydropower held an international Business Briefing in Austin TX, Tuesday July 19, from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. As you may be aware, the national utility CFE, in Mexico has substantial potential for rehabilitation projects. We have been working with representatives from the utility over the past few years to discuss possible partnerships and business models for these projects. We hosted two representatives from CFE to discuss opportunities for rehabilitation and upgrade within the CFE system, Evert Hernandez, Assistant Manager of Hydropower Planning and Salvador Aguirre Tello, Technical Assessment.
US Hydro Organizes World Bank Working Group on Hydro
US Hydropower is working with the World Bank to put together an ad hoc group to discuss ways the World Bank could work with hydro. We met May 10th, and plan to meet monthly to continue the dialogue. Debby Stone also met with Will Center in the World Bank’s U.S. Executive Director’s office. We will be meeting the week after next to discuss upcoming hydropower and energy sector work that the Bank is funding and how we can join efforts to make sure that US companies are aware of these opportunities.
US Hydropower to Participate in International Hydropower Community Collaboration on Kyoto Protocol
US Hydropower will work with the Canadian Hydropower Association, National Hydropower Association, and International Hydropower Association to define key messages and a strategy to promote hydropower during the first Meeting of the Parties (MoP1) to the Kyoto Protocol. The meeting will take place in Montreal, Canada where there will be discussion of a proposed emissions trading program. The talks will include hydropower’s role in the trading scheme and the industry wants to be sure that the benefits of hydropower are part of this discussion. In support of this effort, US Hydropower is working with its membership to discuss activities of current carbon funds and proposed models for an international trading program. Carbon trading was a major area of interest at US Hydropower’s finance forum in April. US Hydropower will also call on finance community experts to comment on this topic.
Guatemala Anacafe Projects
If you attended the US Hydropower Finance Forum, you heard about US Hydropower efforts to work with Anacafe, the Guatemalan association of coffee growers. There are an estimated 263 MW of hydropower projects with Anacafe members. The energy is extremely important in the coffee growth and harvest cycle, and the water which can be used for irrigation in remote areas is also very important. We have been working to identify U.S. company partners for these projects, and will also work to seek financing for feasibility studies and project finance. US Hydropower will visit Guatemala the first week of August to meet with representatives from Anacafe.
Upcoming Mexico Meetings
US Hydropower members are working on several efforts in Mexico including Greenfield and rehabilitation projects. US Hydropower will meet with the USAID Mexico mission to discuss collaboration on development of a hydropower program in Mexico. So far the states of Chiapas and Veracruz have been defined as priority states for a hydropower program by the mission.
Upcoming India Meetings
US Hydropower has been working with the USAID India Mission to establish a three year program for hydropower in India. We have identified a country manager for our office, Dr. Bakthavatsalam, former Director of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Bank, and are in the final stages of preparing to launch this initiative. US Hydropower is planning a fall visit to take an industry delegation. US Hydropower will also cosponsor a conference in Shimla with state policymakers on hydropower development during the fall visit. If your company is interested in the Indian market please contact us to see how US Hydropower’s program can help.
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Please check our website for up to date information on program and lobbying activities at www.us-hydropower.org Your comments or requests for more information are welcome. Please contact US Hydropower’s Director of Trade Promotion, Debby Stone at 202.383.2536 or by Email: debbys@us-hydropower.org
Debby Stone
US Hydropower
Council for International Development
1500 K Street NW #330
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202.383.2536
Fax: 202.408.5406