admin
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN technocrat Mr Sindiso Ngwenya has been elected chairperson of the International Network on Small Hydro Powers 2016 coordinating committee.
Mr Ngwenya, who is also secretary general of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa), was elected yesterday during the organisation’s top meeting in Hangzhou, China.
He will provide leadership and oversight on small hydro and renewable energy to 80 countries globally, Comesa reported in a statement.
The membership includes countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and Latin America.
The International Network on Small Hydro Powers (INSHP) is a member-driven international organisation dedicated to the promotion of small hydropower as a clean and environmental sound renewable energy source. Currently, it serves 470 members from 80 countries, including government ministries, hydro development companies, equipment manufacturers, research institutes and development organisations.
The INSHP coordinating committee is the policy and decision maker of the body, responsible for the examination and approval of the network’s work plan, financial arrangement and enlisting of membership.
Mr Ngwenya takes over from Mr Chen Lei, the Minister of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China.
Accepting the new role, Mr Ngwenya applauded the drive to put the small hydro power and renewable energy on the top of the global agenda under the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
China has the largest generation of power from small hydro power of 75 000 megawatts out of the total installed capacity of more than 1 000 000 megawatts of power.
Mr Ngwenya undertook to work closely with all partners including the 500 companies that are part of the INSHP to promote innovative means of financing both downstream and upstream investments in small hydropower and other renewable energies on the basis of Public Private Partnerships.
He said the INSHP provided a unique platform for international partnership in sharing experiences, capacity building, transfer of technology and innovation.
The energy organisation enjoys excellent working relationship with Comesa.
Online Reporter