Hydropower sustainability on the agenda at SAREF 4.0, Malaysia
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) brought expertise and insights to Sarawak Energy’s SAREF 4.0 conference this week, as sustainable hydropower development took centre stage in discussions.
HSA’s delegation included Deputy Executive Director Alain Kilajian, and Senior Sustainability Specialists Amina Kadyrzhanova and Tashi Pem, who were all involved in a packed agenda.
Alain Kilajian moderated a high-level session on Powering Sustainable Growth: Just, Inclusive and Equitable Energy Transition in Southeast Asia, exploring how the region can meet rising energy demand while protecting ecosystems, supporting workforce transitions, and amplifying community voices.
HSA’s Alain Kilajian (left) moderated a panel discussion featuring speakers from Asian Development Bank, People Centred Economic and Business Institute of Indonesia (IBEKA), Mahardika Energy Partners and Sustainable Energy Development Authority
Amina Kadyrzhanova led the session on Sustainable Hydropower Development: Social Management and Benefit Sharing, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, sharing international best practices in climate adaptation, mitigation, and social management through the application of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS).
Amina Kadyrzhanova moderated a session on climate adaptation and mitigation, social management and benefit sharing, featuring speakers from IHA, China Three Gorges Corporation, Sarawak Energy and IUCN
Tashi Pem delivered a career talk titled Making a career of change: what it’s like to work in climate and energy, offering delegates insights into pathways to professional impact in the sector.
The team also hosted an interactive workshop on the HSS, giving participants practical experience of how the internationally recognised certification system supports continuous improvement and raising performance in project development.
Reflecting on the conference, Amina Kadyrzhanova said: "SAREF 4.0 has been a great opportunity to highlight how the Hydropower Sustainability Standard helps projects balance economic growth with social and environmental benefits, and to engage with regional leaders and global partners on how this can be achieved in practice.
“It was inspiring to hear so many voices share practical strategies and actionable recommendations for doing hydropower the right way."
During the conference, Sarawak Energy’s Bakun Hydroelectric Plant was awarded Silver certification under the HSS.
The conversations on hydropower sustainability at SAREF come at a timely moment when the region is pushing forwards its ambitions to transition to a low-carbon, socially responsible energy future.
