Accredited Assessor Training coming to Sydney in March 2026
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) will host an in-person Accredited Assessor Training in North Sydney, New South Wales, from 16–20 March 2026, enabling professionals to become qualified to assess projects against the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS).
The five-day course is designed for experienced hydropower and sustainability practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the HSS and gain the competencies required to carry out official project assessments.
The training is also suitable for hydropower developers looking to build internal capacity by training team members to conduct self-assessments and support their projects in aligning with the requirements of the HSS ahead of an official assessment.
Through a structured programme combining expert instruction, group discussion, practical exercises and a final exam, participants will learn how to evaluate hydropower projects across key environmental, social, technical and governance topics.
You can find out more about the training or apply by submitting the application form and your CV to training@hs-alliance.org.
📍 Location: North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
📅 Dates: 16–20 March 2026
💶 Cost: €3,950 + VAT per participant (excluding accommodation and personal expenses)
Following successful training in Lisbon
This Sydney course follows HSA’s recent Accredited Assessor Training in Lisbon, where participants from four continents successfully graduated to join the global network of Accredited Assessors.
Isma Khuzaima Mansor, a participant who graduated with the Lisbon cohort, said: “The training was a truly rewarding experience! I walked away with a much deeper understanding of how the Hydropower Sustainability Standard works and, more importantly, practical tips and tools that will help me confidently assess hydropower projects.
“The assessment simulation and real case studies made the training engaging and insightful. I would highly recommend this to anyone passionate about driving sustainability in hydropower development.”
Accredited Assessor Training events have also been held this year in Thailand and Zambia. This short video shows behind the scenes of the Zambia training:
What does the Sydney training cover?
Participants will build the knowledge and skills needed to prepare, execute and deliver official sustainability assessments using the methodologies and scoring framework of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.
The course also meets the requirements for becoming a Provisionally Accredited Assessor, a key milestone toward full accreditation. Successful participants will receive a professional certificate and licence, and will be eligible to join HSA’s global network of assessors.
“Interest in the Hydropower Sustainability Standard is growing around the world, and we’re seeing more organisations wanting to strengthen their capacity,” said Amina Kadyrzhanova, Senior Sustainability Specialist at HSA. “Australia is embarking on a new wave of hydropower development, and we’re excited to bring a training event to the country for the first time.
“Join us in Sydney, and you can gain the tools, knowledge and confidence to deliver high-quality sustainability assessments, and play an active role in advancing the global energy transition.”
Official assessments using the Hydropower Sustainability Standard are conducted exclusively by Accredited Assessors to maintain quality and rigour. These assessors bring significant experience in hydropower and sustainability issues and are trained to deliver consistent, robust evaluations.
