Integrating “indigenous knowledge” with modern energy practices is an important strategy for addressing Africa’s hydropower challenges. Traditional ecological practices, particularly in water resource management, can complement hydropower systems to enhance sustainability and efficiency.

This was the central theme of the Energy and Water Sector Education Training and Authority (EWSETA) Water Systems and Energy Solutions webinar on November 13.

Wetlands and natural water systems play a pivotal role in hydropower generation. These ecosystems help regulate water flow, mitigate flooding and maintain stable water levels – all critical for optimising hydropower output, said Petunia Ramunenyiwa, Chief Director: Intergovernmental Relations, Sector Transformation and Provincial Governance at the Department of Water and Sanitation. “The degradation of these ecosystems has hindered water management efforts, leading to challenges in renewable energy production, particularly in hydropower generation.”

Sylvain Usher, Executive Director of the African Water and Sanitation Association, said: “We must not ignore the wisdom of indigenous communities. Wetland and water system management is an area where we could see significant improvements in hydropower generation if we restored these practices. By protecting these ecosystems, we can improve water availability for hydropower generation and mitigate the environmental impact of energy projects.”

Historically, these practices supported sustainable energy generation, said Mpho Mookapele, CEO of EWSETA. “We’ve lost those values. Wetlands and water sources were once protected as essential resources. We need to reintegrate these principles into modern water management to secure hydropower resources.”

Including indigenous knowledge in private-sector projects was presented as a way to create more inclusive, long-term solutions. By aligning policy frameworks with traditional practices and modern energy goals, speakers argued that the private sector could play a significant role in ensuring the sustainability of hydropower initiatives. “Indigenous communities are the custodians of this knowledge and they must be involved in energy decision-making processes. We cannot move forward without acknowledging the importance of local communities and their connection to the land and water resources,” Ramunenyiwa said.

Energy professionals were urged to collaborate with indigenous communities to integrate traditional ecological practices into hydropower development. “We need to ensure that indigenous knowledge is recognised and included in policy frameworks, which will make renewable energy projects more sustainable,” said Bongani Ncube, Acting Director of the Centre for Water and Sanitation Research.

This collaboration extends to the educational sphere where Mookapele advocates for inclusion of indigenous knowledge in training programmes for energy professionals. “Bridging the gap between traditional practices and modern technologies requires education. University-level training should focus on the intersection of hydropower technologies and traditional ecological management to ensure that future engineers and planners can build sustainable energy systems.”

Incorporating indigenous knowledge into educational frameworks could also bridge the gap between traditional and modern energy solutions. “We should include indigenous knowledge in training, especially at university level, to bridge the gap between the old and the new. This approach will allow future energy professionals to better understand the intersection between hydropower technologies and traditional practices, ensuring more sustainable energy systems,” said Mookapele.

“The integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific expertise is the way forward. We need to approach energy development holistically, considering technological advances and the wisdom of the past.”