Certified User Training to be hosted in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, this March
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) will host an in-person Certified User Training in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on 5–6 March 2026, giving professionals the opportunity to build practical skills in applying the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) to strengthen the sustainability performance of hydropower projects.
With the course announced at short notice and places limited, interested participants are encouraged to apply by Wednesday 25 February.
Kyrgyzstan’s national development agenda to 2030 places a strong emphasis on expanding hydropower capacity while ensuring environmental protection, social responsibility and long-term economic resilience. Achieving these ambitions requires any new project to be planned, designed and operated according to internationally recognised sustainability principles.
The HSS provides a practical, internationally recognised framework that helps governments, developers, and financiers ensure that hydropower projects deliver reliable energy while protecting communities, ecosystems and long-term national interests.
By using the HSS, institutions can benchmark project performance, identify issues early and align project planning with global ESG best practices. This approach supports Kyrgyzstan’s transition toward sustainable infrastructure and responsible resource management.
Who is the course for, and what does it include?
Designed for project managers, regulators, consultants and investors, the two-day training provides a comprehensive introduction to the HSS and demonstrates how it can be applied strategically across the entire project lifecycle.
Through expert-led sessions, real-world examples and interactive exercises, participants will gain hands-on experience with the HSS framework, assessment process and scoring methodology, and learn how to embed ESG considerations into everyday decision-making.
The course focuses on practical outcomes. Participants develop the confidence to plan and deliver projects with a sustainability-first approach, reduce environmental and social risks, improve stakeholder engagement and prepare for formal assessments.
For many, the training also strengthens professional credibility and can open up new opportunities in a sector that is increasingly expected to meet international good practice.
Those who complete the training and pass the final exam will receive the Certified User credential.
Building local capacity
As Kyrgyzstan continues to expand its hydropower sector, building national expertise in the HSS will help ensure that future projects deliver energy security while also supporting economic growth, community well-being and environmental stewardship. The Certified User Training is a key step in empowering national experts to lead this transition and ensure that the hydropower of the future is sustainable by design.
The Bishkek training is HSA’s first activity in Kyrgyzstan supported by SECO, which has funded similar capacity-building initiatives globally in countries including Tajikistan, Indonesia, Albania and Colombia.
Previous participants in Certified User training events hosted by HSA have highlighted the immediate value in their day-to-day work.
Dorji Yangdon, Environment Officer at Druk Green Power Corporation, said after participating in a training event in Bhutan: “As someone working in the energy sector, the Certified User Training on the Hydropower Sustainability Standard has been extremely helpful. The modules were well-structured, the facilitators were knowledgeable, and the real-world examples made the concepts easy to apply.”
Certified User Training events are part of HSA’s wider effort to build local capacity and enable organisations to apply the HSS consistently and effectively in diverse country contexts.
📍 Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
📅 Dates: 5–6 March 2026
🗓 Application deadline: 25 February 2026
