XIX World Water Congress
2025-12-01 - 2025-12-05 | PICKALBATROS Hôtel Du Golf, Circuit de la Palmeraie 1, Marrakech, 40000, Morocco
The XIX World Water Congress, co-organised by the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) and the Ministry of Equipment and Water of Morocco, will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, from December 1 to 5, 2025. Under the theme “Water in a Changing World: Innovation and Adaptation,” this prestigious global event will bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, civil society leaders, and private sector representatives to exchange knowledge, showcase groundbreaking research, and develop actionable solutions. Together, participants will address the growing complexities of global water governance, security, and sustainability in the face of unprecedented global challenges.
WATER IN A CHANGING WORLD: INNOVATION AND ADAPTATION

The overarching theme of the Congress focuses on addressing the dynamic interconnections linking water,
natural ecosystems, energy, agriculture and other human activities during a time of global challenges such
as climate change, humanitarian and environmental crises.

Webinar: Back to Basics - Pumped Storage Hydropower from design to performance
2026-01-27 14:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | virtual
Join the ESMAP webinar to explore webinar exploring the design and performance of pumped storage hydropower (PSH). In collaboration with the International Hydropower Association, we will bring together expert speakers to discuss the role of PSH in modern power systems. The session will provide perspectives on how PSH contributes to system reliability and flexibility, the range of energy services it can provide, and why PSH is increasingly relevant for modern power system planning.
Participants will gain insight into how PSH plants are designed and operated to meet defined performance requirements, the technical and operational choices that shape those outcomes, and how plant capabilities are translated into balancing and other services in real-world operation. Speakers will draw on practical project experience to examine how design and operational decisions translate into power system flexibility and value. Join us to better understand how pumped storage hydropower can be designed and operated to meet evolving power system needs.

Webinar - Alto Malema project in Mozambique
2026-02-20 16:00 - 16:30 (Africa/Johannesburg) | virtual
Join the webinar on the Alto Malema Hydropower Project — a large-scale renewable energy development in Mozambique’s Zambezia and Nampula provinces.
The project combines 70 MW hydropower with 29 MW solar, with future plans for pumped hydro storage and floating solar, enabling reliable, carbon-free electricity and long-term regional growth. Developed by Dynamis and partners, with technical design by Zutari and engagement from national authorities and local stakeholders, Alto Malema targets strong ESG performance and direct contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Webinar: small hydro in waste water treatment infrastructure
2026-02-23 10:30 - 12:30 (Africa/Johannesburg) | virtual
Balancing services, flexibility, and just climate responses for water utilities and industry
South Africa’s water and wastewater infrastructure is energy-intensive yet it holds significant untapped renewable energy potential.
With more than 850 wastewater treatment works (WWTWs) across the country, micro and small hydropower systems present a practical opportunity to:
🔹 Reduce operational energy costs
🔹 Improve service resilience amid load shedding
🔹 Lower carbon emissions
🔹 Contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s Just Energy Transition
This upcoming webinar introduces a project demonstrating the operational integration of micro hydropower at WWTWs, with strong replication potential across the agriculture and mining sectors.
Speakers include:
• Mr Nico van Blerk – ERWAT
• Prof Marco van Dijk – University of Pretoria
• Dr Chantal R-Kotze – Partnering for Impact (PFI)
• Dr Tshepang Mosiea – Department of Science, Technology & Innovation (DSTI)
Technology innovators:
Bluecap Hydro (Netherlands)
WD Power (South Africa)
EasyHydro (Ireland)
This initiative builds on foundational work by the University of Pretoria and the Water Research Commission, including the South African Hydropower Atlas and conduit hydropower developments. The focus is clear: moving from research to scalable implementation through practical case studies, procurement frameworks, and stakeholder engagement models.

Webinar: EIB hydropower sector market outreach
2026-04-16 14:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Paris) | virtual
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is pleased to invite industry stakeholders to a dedicated Hydropower Sector Market Outreach Webinar.
This event aims to present upcoming EIB‑financed hydropower projects across Africa, the Eastern Neighbourhood, the Western Balkans and Asia.
Participants will hear from European Investment Bank (EIB) experts on the hydropower project pipeline, expected tendering timelines, and evolving procurement and sustainability requirements, followed by a structured discussion and Q&A to gather industry feedback on procurement approaches, project structuring and market conditions.
The webinar forms part of European Investment Bank (EIB) ‘s early market engagement efforts to support competitive, high‑quality and sustainable hydropower investments.
𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮
➡️ 14:00-14:30: Welcome remarks and EIB Procurement Office Presentation
➡️ 14:30-15:30: Sector presentation. Overview of hydropower sector with EIB lending figures and EIB priorities in the sector + Presentation on EIB financed Hydropower operations (with the contract packages under the projects, expected tendering timelines)
➡️ 15:30-16:30: Q&A and feedback session

Mulungushi Dam centenary
2026-05-01 - 2026-05-02 | Mulungushi Boat Club, 8R28+XM, Mulungushi, Zambia
On May 1st and 2nd, the Zambian hydropower station Mulungushi Dam will turn 100 years of age. The hydropower station is the oldest still operational hydropower station in Africa, commissioned in 1925 by the Broken Hill Development Company, then owned by Anglo American.

2027 World Hydropower Congress
2027-04-06 - 2027-04-08
The next World Hydropower Congress will be held in Sydney, Australia, following a successful bid led by Business Events Sydney. It will be hosted on 6 – 8 April 2027.
The Congress is the sector’s flagship global gathering, bringing together leaders from government, finance, industry and civil society to shape policies and solutions for sustainable hydropower and the journey to net zero. It has a legacy of shaping global hydropower policy and practice, with past editions hosted in Bali, Costa Rica, France, Ethiopia, China, Malaysia, Brazil, Iceland and Turkey.
Australia’s selection underscores its growing leadership in clean energy and hydropower development. The Congress will be particularly significant for New South Wales (NSW), aligning with Investment NSW’s Trade and Investment Strategy – Net Zero & Energy Transition and the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which is transforming the state’s energy system to deliver affordable, clean and reliable power.
NSW is already home to ambitious renewable energy projects. Snowy 2.0, the largest renewable energy and pumped storage project in the southern hemisphere, is scheduled for delivery in 2027 – the same year Sydney welcomes the world to the Congress.
The 2027 World Hydropower Congress will shine an international spotlight on Australia’s innovation, expertise, and commitment to a renewable future – and provide a unique opportunity to advance the global hydropower agenda at a pivotal moment for the energy transition.
