The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) has officially introduced HydroSelect, a strategic new tool designed to enhance early-stage decision-making in hydropower project development. Created for use by developers, government agencies, investors, and other key stakeholders, HydroSelect supports the identification of technically viable and environmentally responsible project concepts before significant capital is committed.

By integrating robust environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into its framework, HydroSelect empowers users to assess potential projects with a comprehensive, sustainability-focused lens. The tool is engineered to mitigate risks commonly associated with hydropower development—such as regulatory delays, community resistance, and ecological impacts—by promoting proactive, data-informed planning from the outset.

“Too often, developers commit to a site without fully understanding the risks, only to face costly delays, community opposition, or environmental barriers later on,” said Alain Kilajian, Deputy Executive Director of HSA. “HydroSelect helps to avoid situations like this. It brings sustainability to the front of the decision-making process, enabling smarter and more responsible planning.”

Image Credit: Hydropower Sustainability Alliance