The World Bioenergy Association by the president Kent Nyström was invited to The International Hydropower Association (IHA) Consultative Council Meeting On June 23, 2009 in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Nominated by the IHA Board, IHA Consultative Councils comprise thought leaders from throughout the world, representing a broad spectrum of expertise and opinion, from government, business and civil society. Meetings of Consultative Councils are convened biennially to help guide IHA’s work programme between its World Congresses. It is intended that all Consultative Council Participants remain within the informal network, sharing experiences and advice with the IHA Board on a mutual basis.50-60 participants were invited. One of them was Kent Nyström, president of the World Bioenergy Association.

The Meeting was set to briefly review the status of the hydropower sector and current IHA work initiatives relating to water, energy, climate, sustainability, markets/investment, and communications. The Meeting was hosted under the auspices of the President of Iceland Olafur Ragnar Grimsson.

The Meeting culminated in a general review of the ideas put forward by the participants. The Meeting is intended as the foundation on which the IHA Board will consider and set IHA’s work programme for the next two years.

As closing remarks President Grimsson of Iceland described a new playing field for hydropower. He exemplified this in 6 points:

1.    New perspective on water. Competition with different needs such as agriculture etc.
2.    Final recognition of the climate change. The time is limited. We must have the solutions implemented in 20-30 years. We see now a very fast ice melting for example.
3.    We see now an increasing competition from other clean energies. But it should not be a problem, as we need them all.
4.    We have an urgent need of new technology. A technical revolution.
5.    Democratization. All projects are now debated and questioned. The protests are increasing not only at a local level but also at an international. This must be handled.
6.    The solutions have impact not only on regions but also internationally. Actions are not only national any more. All citizens want a future. They believe that they have the right to be active.

From the World Bioenergy Associations horizon we can certify that the playing field has changed in the same direction. So the  description above is extremely relevant also for the bioenergy sector.