This certification, valid until November 2026, makes Ituango the first project in Latin America to receive this distinction. It also makes EPM the second member of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) to achieve such recognition in the region.
Context and international support
The Ituango project was supported by the Global Program for Capacity Building in Sustainable Hydropower, financed by the Swiss Economic Cooperation (SECO) and implemented by HSA. The program aims to promote international best practice in hydropower project management, with beneficiaries including Colombia, Indonesia, Morocco, Tajikistan and Albania. Eddie Rich, CEO of IHA, said, “In the future, only sustainable hydropower will be acceptable. The Ituango project provides reliable, renewable electricity while promoting long-term sustainability and energy security.”
EPM’s commitment to sustainability
John Maya Salazar, General Manager of EPM, stressed that this recognition was the result of management focused on respect for natural resources and local communities. “The Ituango hydroelectric project is a promoter of good practice, aligned with international standards of environmental and social sustainability.” The certification highlights EPM’s efforts to secure human and financial resources for environmental and social management, resilience after contingencies, and forest conservation and local community development.
HSA’s role
The HSA, a multilateral non-profit organization, improves transparency in the sector through its rigorous sustainability assessment and certification system. It also supports a capacity-building program aligned with World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) performance standards. João Costa, Executive Director of HSA, commented, “We are delighted to celebrate the achievement of Ituango as the second largest project certified under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. This project is expected to meet 17% of Colombia’s electricity demand, demonstrating EPM’s impressive efforts to improve the project’s sustainability.” The certification covers the three main components of hydropower project management: environmental, social and governance, contributing to the development of sustainable hydropower and demonstrating consistent, environmentally friendly actions.
