IHA Blue Planet Prize

The IHA Blue Planet Prize is awarded to hydropower projects that demonstrate excellence in sustainable development.

The prize is awarded on the basis of an assessment using the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, a tool that measures the sustainability of a hydropower project across a range of social, environmental, technical and economic aspects.

The prize will next be awarded at the World Hydropower Congress in May 2019 in Paris, France.

Information for applicants

Applications for the 2019 award are now closed. 

For a hydropower project to be considered for the IHA Blue Planet Prize, it must have undergone an official assessment under the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol.

The protocol was developed through cross-sector consensus and is governed by a forum that includes governments, environmental and social NGOs, commercial and development banks, and industry. Find out more at www.hydrosustainability.org.

Applications are judged by a panel of experts selected by the IHA Board. Shortlisted projects not selected for the prize are recognised as ‘highly commended’.

Blanda project

The 2017 prize was awarded to the Blanda project in Iceland, developed and operated by Landsvirkjun. 

To find out more about the Blanda project, view IHA's short winner's documentary: 

History

The IHA Blue Planet Prize was awarded to seven projects between 2001 and 2017 in recognition of good sustainability practice:

• Blanda hydropower project, Iceland (2017)
• Andhikhola hydel and rural electrification scheme, Nepal (2005)
• Arrow Lakes power plant, Canada (2005)
• Sechelt Creek power plant, Canada (2005)
• Salto Caxias project, Brazil (2003)
• Palmiet pumped storage scheme, South Africa (2003)
• King River hydropower development, Tasmania, Australia (2001)