The Sino-Austria Workshop on Operation & Development of Sustainable Hydropower was held in Beijing on November 10th, 2016. Mr. Chen Lei, Minister of Ministry of Water Resources of P.R.C., Minister Andra Rupprechter of Austrian Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, and Dr. Irene Giner-Reichl, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to China attended the meeting and delivered opening speeches.
Minister Chen Lei pointed out that energy is a critical material foundation for development of the human society. In the present world, global resources crisis, environment degradation, climate change impacts have become increasingly obvious. As such, a global consensus is reached on energy revolution and green development. The Chinese government attaches great attention and makes firm commitment to energy transformation and reform, and make pushing forward the revolution of energy production and consumption as a basic state policy in China. In the published 2014-2020 Strategic Action Plan for Energy Development, the Chinese government defined a “conservation, clean and safe” strategic guideline for energy development and an energy development strategy that emphasizes “conservation first, a firm foot in China, green and low-carbon, and innovation as a driving force”. The Chinese government had made a promise to the world by setting strict target of using non-fossil energy and reducing CO2 Emission goals by 2020 and 2030.
Minister Chen Lei also stated that hydropower is the clean renewable energy that is most mature in technology in the world currently, most cost-effective in development and most flexible in scheduling. The Chinese government regards hydropower as a priority area in the construction of its modern energy system and an important measure for the building of an ecological civilization, the revolution of energy supply and the transformation of its economic development pattern. Specifically, we have accumulated valuable experiences:
1. With regard to the concept of development, we stick to the guideline of green and low-carbon development, focus on protection amid development and development amid protection,. Our hydropower works are eco-friendly and help promote harmonious coexistence between Man and Nature.
2. With regard to the strategic layout of hydro development, we take natural endowments, resources, environment and functional positioning of rivers into comprehensive consideration, balance large and medium hydro projects with small hydropower development, construct both conventional hydropower stations and pumped-storage power plants, rationally plan hydropower bases and layouts, and develop hydro resources in a scientific orderly manner.
3. With regard to project verification, we conduct effective upfront work to verify hydro projects according to the principles of real need, ecological safety and sustainability. Full considerations are given to ecological impacts and reservoir resettlement to achieve win-win benefits of hydropower.
4. With regard to scheduling and operation, we observe the principle of “putting flood control ahead of benefit enhancement, river basins ahead of administrative regions and water scheduling ahead of electricity scheduling”. Our scheduling and operation schemes are carefully prepared, in which process we balance upper with lower reaches, left with right banks and trunks with tributaries, and balance different targets and requirements of flood control, water supply, power generation, navigation and ecology. In addition, we follow up such schemes with scientific, dynamic controls and adjustments to attain the best results.
5. With regard to reform and innovation, we enhance research & development and indigenous innovation of key hydro technologies, implement the “Internet +” smart energy action plan. Further, we are working hard to build more robust policy frameworks, investment mechanisms and management systems for hydropower development, so as to build up the potentials for development of green hydropower in a continuous manner.
6. With regard to outbound cooperation, we uphold the concepts of “opening up for development and cooperation for win-win”. In conjunction with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), China sponsored the establishment of the International Center on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP). In addition, we have developed long-term hydropower partnership with over 80 countries, and carried out hydro development tasks in more than 100 countries and regions. In particular, we implemented the small hydropower “Lighting Africa” initiative in Africa. With ongoing progress of major strategies such as the construction of “One Belt One Road”, energy cooperation including hydropower cooperation will embrace an even more promising future.
Minister Chen also expressed that China is a major developer of small hydropower in the world. Over the years, we have adhered to best practices such as combining water governance and power generation, coordinating development and protection, taking new projects and renovation works into comprehensive consideration, and attaching equal attention to construction and management. Further, we have implemented relevant projects on a large scale. Therefore, small hydropower plays an important role in protecting the eco-environment, promoting energy conservation and emission reduction, enhancing people’s wellbeing, and pushing forward poverty alleviation in China.
Minister Chen Lei said that, this year is the forty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria. We have carried out long term exchanges and cooperation in various forms and harvested rich gratifying results in numerous areas, including but not limited to water resources management, hydropower development, water environment protection and capacity building. As the “One Belt and One Road” strategy carrying forward, the relationships between the two countries will meet new important opportunities to grow and expand. It also symbolizes that the China-Austria water partnership has entered a brand new stage of profound comprehensive growth. Mr. Chen Lei recommended three new proposals on deepening China-Austria water and hydropower cooperation: first, boost policy exchange and dialogue; second, expand areas for technological cooperation and third, lead green hydropower development in the world, which to fully leverage the institutional advantages of our bilateral water partnership to exchange and share green hydropower standards, actively participate in the global processes of green hydro development and water governance, and jointly work towards the water related targets on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
Minister Andrä Rupprechter spoke highly of the Sino-Austria water cooperation. He believed that the current close Sino-Austria water cooperation was an important witness of the friendship between two countries, and environment protection and sustainable water use are the biggest challenges which both countries face. Both countries have conducted successful cooperation in water resources management, also had carried out small hydropower partnership communication exchanges under Sino-Austria Water Resources Exchanges Platform. Austria has plentiful water resources, and it has accumulated rich experience and mature technology in the field of water and electricity management, energy efficiency and so on. Austria looks forward working with China to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in the field of water resources and hydropower development, sharing of successful experiences, to carry out joint research projects, to improve the operation level and capability of sustainable utilization of water resources and hydropower.
Dr. Irene Giner-Reichl stressed in her speech that the shortage of water resources, increased water pollution and water security problem are one of the major challenges human facing right now. She highly appreciated Chinese government on supporting Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, and set-up the plan of resources and energy efficiency goals by “13th Fifth Year Plan”. She also said that Austria will actively participate in the China-EU 2020 Strategic Cooperation and China – EU Water Platform (CEWP), to further strengthen the policy dialogue with China in the filed of water resources and small hydropower development, expand more joint research program and enterprise cooperation.
During the Workshop, Minister Chen Lei held talk with Minister Andrä Rupprechter, both sides spoke highly of the pragmatic bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of the water resources management and small hydropower development, exchanged views and experiences on water supply, sewage treatment, rivers and lakes protections, flood control and disaster management and climate change area, and to further strengthen the policy exchange and cooperation to promote building the China-EU Water Platform.
Thirteen Chinese and Austrian government officials and experts made presentations on the topics of green eco-hydropower, increase energy efficiency, multilateral and bilateral cooperation on hydropower and so on. Nearly 150 officials and representatives from Chinese and Austrian governments, Ministry of Water Resources, local water and related departments, river basin authorities, research institutes and water-related enterprises attended the workshop. .
