The World Hydropower Congress brings together leading decision-makers, innovators and experts from industry, government, finance, civil society and academia.

Knowledge sharing, capacity building and stakeholder dialogue are at the heart of this high-level biennial event which is organised by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) and supported by more than 40 partner organisations.

Costa Rica 2021

The next World Hydropower Congress will be held in San José, 26-28 May 2021, under the theme ‘Renewables working together in an interconnected world’.

The event will be hosted under the patronage of the President of Costa Rica, supported by Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). Read more.

Shaping new strategies

The World Hydropower Congress provides an unparalleled opportunity to share experiences, guide policies and develop strategies to strengthen the sector’s performance and support sustainable development.

Focus sessions and workshops are co-convened with knowledge partners that bring a depth of understanding to each topic. These partners include United Nations organisations, financial institutions, intergovernmental agencies and research institutes.

A shared vision

Each World Hydropower Congress provides a global stage for the birth of new partnerships and cross-sectoral initiatives, and the showcasing of excellence across the sector.

The event contributes to advancing a shared vision: a world where water and energy services are delivered to all in a sustainable way.

Years in the making

IHA hosted the first world congress in Turkey in 2007, followed by Iceland in 2009, Brazil in 2011, Malaysia in 2013 and China in 2015, and Ethiopia in 2017, and France in 2019.