Beginning June 2012, significantly less new programmatic CDM projects including SHP are entering validation compared to the beginning of the year. The Small Hydropower Programme of Activities in Albania and Serbia aims to serve as a model for investors, authorities and the public, and will result in perception changes that are critical to expanding the use of small hydropower in Albania and Serbia. Further, the establishment of a market for investing in small hydropower projects will significantly impact building of capacity to manufacture system components domestically and lead to value creation and availability of green job opportunities in the region.  

In South Africa, a Small Scale Renewable Energy Carbon Programme (SRECP) has entered validation, which allows renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind as well as small hydropower to be included as a CPA (CDM Project Activity).

Another African multi-country PoA has entered validation: Sustainable Promotion of East African Renewables (SPEAR), which includes small hydro as well for Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The PoA will help to increase access to renewable energy throughout East Africa, increasing the reliability of modern energy services. The PoA will therefore promote income generating opportunities, help tackle the countries’ power generation deficit, and improve their balance of payment by reducing the need to import fossil fuels.