Sebzor, a hydroelectric project in Tajikistan, is undergoing a sustainability assessment by independent auditors.
A project regularly evaluated
Sebzor is assessed using theHydropower Sustainability Standard. The evaluation report is now open to public consultation. So, for a period of 60 days, the world’s stakeholders can have their say.
The independent evaluators will review all public comments. The Standard Secretariat will then decide on Sebzor’s certification. Alain Kilajian, Senior Sustainability Specialist at IHA, says:
“This is a fantastic time for clean energy development. Now more than ever, we need more low-carbon, sustainable energy projects to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Sebzor is one of those projects.”
Pamir Energy works in collaboration with other international experts in sustainable development. The aim is to fill the gaps and become the first project to be certified under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard. The previous evaluation of the project dates back to August 2021.
The durability standard
Two shortcomings stood out in the “Community impact and infrastructure safety” section. However, a year later, Pamir Energy demonstrated that the project met all the minimum requirements for certification. The Sebzor project could thus achieve Silver level certification.
The Hydropower Sustainability Standard is an independent international certification system. It measures minimum levels of good practice in twelve sustainability topics. From biodiversity and indigenous peoples to water quality and climate change mitigation.
A multi-stakeholder group made up of industrial, environmental and social NGOs is developing it. Multilateral banks and civil society organizations are also involved. The standard provides a framework for encouraging sustainable hydropower projects and improving less sustainable developments.
