IEA Hydropower Implementing Agreement

What is the Hydropower Implementing Agreement?

The Hydropower Implementing Agreement is a working group of IEA member countries that have a common interest in advancing hydropower worldwide. Countries that are not members of the IEA can also join. The member Governments either participate themselves, or designate another organization in their country to represent them on the Executive Committee.

What is its Vision?

The members of the Executive Committee of the Hydropower Agreement see their Vision as:

"Through the facilitation of worldwide recognition of hydropower as a well-established and socially desirable energy technology, advance the development of new hydropower and the modernisation of existing hydropower "

...and its Mission?

In recognition of this Vision the Executive Committee believes its Mission is:

"To encourage through awareness, knowledge, and support the sustainable use of water resources for the development and management of hydropower."

• Vision and Mission statements in Japanese

To accomplish its Mission, the Executive Committee has identified the following programme-based strategy to:

• Apply an interdisciplinary approach to the research needed to encourage the public acceptance of Hydropower as a feasible, socially desirable form of renewable energy.
• Increase the current wealth of knowledge on a wide array of issues currently associated with hydropower.
• Explore areas of common interest among international organizations in the continued use of hydropower as a socially desirable energy resource.
• Bring a balanced view of hydropower to the worldwide debate on its feasibility as an environmentally desirable energy technology.
• Encourage technology.

How is the programme of work carried out?

The Implementing Agreement's programme is carried out by task forces, called Annexes. Once again, the IA member Governments can participate themselves, or designate another organization in their country to represent them on the Annex. Some activities are collaborative ventures between the IA and other hydropower organisations.

See "Activities & Achievements" on the menu for detailed information on the work of all Annexes and how you can become involved.

Legal Framework

Implementing Agreements have a standard legal structure defining the commitments and rights of Contracting Parties. IEA Member countries participate in Implementing Agreements on a voluntary, case-by-case basis. Contracting Parties undertake Tasks identified in Annexes to the Implementing Agreement. The Annexes usually specify arrangements for handling and protection of information and intellectual property, and record arrangements for commercial exploitation and distribution of benefits. Contracting Parties designate one Operating Agent for each Task who is responsible for management of the collaboration and provides infrastructure as needed.

While all Contracting Parties sign the Agreement and its general provisions apply to each, participation in the Tasks under Annexes may vary according to the parties' wishes and additional Task Annexes may be added as the Agreement proceeds. While most participants are government organisations or semi-public entities, Implementing Agreements are open to private organisations formally designated as participants by their national governments. To enhance interaction with industry and other users of results of the collaboration, options exist to involve expert groups from multilateral organisations and industry, where they can make a substantial contribution to the programmes. International inter-governmental organisations may participate as Contracting Parties and industry bodies not directly nominated by governments may participate as Sponsors with the approval of the IA Executive Committee.

Participating in the Hydropower Implementing Agreement

IEA Hydropower is keen to promote its work programmes and to encourage increasing involvement of non-participating countries. All OECD countries are eligible to participate fully. In addition, the IEA Governing Board has decided that the Implementing Agreements may also be open to non-OECD countries. If you are interested in finding out more about IEA Hydropower, please contact the Executive Committee Secretary