13 February 2014: The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Centre on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP) have launched an online knowledge exchange and database of small hydropower best practices and projects around the world.

At the launch, Diego Masera, Head of UNIDO’s Renewable and Rural Energy Unit, noted the important role small hydropower can play in fostering “inclusive and sustainable industrial development.” However, he added that “much of the world’s small hydropower potential remains untouched,” stressing the need for the “dissemination of reliable data to initiate new small hydropower projects.” By identifying small hydropower potential and development status globally, UNIDO and ICSHP hope the portal can serve as a policy and investment guide for small hydropower provision.

UNIDO and ICSHP note they are collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including national institutions, to monitor and continue to collect up-to-date data on small hydropower for the portal. A Chinese language version of the site is also planned. [Small Hydropower Portal] [UNIDO Press Release] [International Centre on Small Hydro Power Website]