The business case for bilateral support to improve sustainability of private sector hydropower

This paper interrogates the business case for the voluntary improvement of environmental and social (E&S) risk management practices on private hydropower developments included in the water and energy infrastructure strategies of developing countries.

Although the focus is on independent private hydropower-financing models the discussion is valid for public-private projects. It accepts the philosophy of the Equator Principle Association (EPA) that improving E&S standards is synonymous with reducing investment risk and improving development returns on dam projects.