The 2021 IHA Mosonyi Award for Excellence in Hydropower has been awarded to Richard Taylor, Director at RMT Renewables Ltd and former CEO of IHA.

The accolade was announced by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) on 23 September at the biennial World Hydropower Congress. The award recognises individuals within IHA's membership for outstanding contributions to the sector.

‘The name Mosonyi means a lot to me’

As one of the founders of the International Hydropower Association who served as its Executive Director and Chief Executive until 2019, Mr Taylor has had a huge impact on the hydropower sector over his career to date.  

Mr Taylor said: “The name Mosonyi means a lot to me – not only because he was the founding President of IHA, but because he had previously played a big part in my education, being the author of seminal reference books on water power development.

“Prof. Emil Mosonyi was one of the great personalities in the history of hydropower and was at the core of establishing IHA. It was a privilege to work with him, and I’m really honoured to receive an award carrying his name.”

In presenting the award, Eddie Rich, Chief Executive of IHA said: “Richard Taylor is the obvious choice for the 2021 IHA Mosonyi Award for Excellence in Hydropower.

“This World Hydropower Congress perfectly represents the spirit that Richard embedded in IHA’s work: bringing all the key stakeholders into the same room to forge progress, build and share knowledge and lift the performance of the sector.”

“Richard established the multi-stakeholder group that established a consensus on international good and best practices in hydropower, which first led to the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol, and which are now represented in the Hydropower Sustainability Standard.

“More recently, Richard developed the idea of an International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower which has now launched its influential findings and recommendations. In addition, he was instrumental in the building of the XFLEX HYDRO project, which is delivering ground-breaking renewable energy innovations for the future.”

Watch Mr Taylor’s reaction to receiving the award

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Watch Mr Taylor’s comment on the XFLEX HYDRO project

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Watch Mr Taylor’s views on the future of hydropower

IHA’s Deputy Head of Communications Anna Warren interviewed Mr Taylor about his views on hydropower technologies, COP26, sustainability and hydropower in Costa Rica.