Scotland the Hydro Nation: annual report 2017

Forward Look

A revised Hydro Nation strategy was endorsed by the Hydro Nation Forum in July and sets out a number of areas of focus in the coming year. As set out elsewhere in this report Rural Provision remains a strong domestic focus, with technology testing expected to feed into solution provision pilots. The key International changes to the Strategy for future focus (and which are expected to contribute to the national economy) include:

• New support arrangements for greater cooperation and collaboration across the public sector to underpin the delivery of commercial/consultancy services;
• More detail on the operation and development of the Hydro Nation International workstream;
• Updates to reflect progress in India where we are developing a technical pilot project with SDI and Indian authorities to contribute to the Ganga Clean-up programme. An anticipated Memorandum of Understanding between Hydro Nation and National Mission of Clean Ganga will underpin this work and link to research projects being delivered under the Hydro Nation International arrangements.
• Update on recent developments in Malawi. We are continuing our long term commitment through Hydro Nation and CJF to work with the Government of Malawi and international charities and other stakeholders to deliver SDG6. We are continuing with the mapping and water point refurbishment programme and extending the scope to include water pump technology enhancement trials in country which will increase the efficiency of pumps, and working with major UK retailers to ensure in-country water sustainability for key export products such as tea and coffee.

Scottish Water International has recently refreshed its strategy and has identified Europe, Australasia and North America as key target markets. Efforts will be primarily focussed in these areas in future years. SWI will also continue to fulfil its contracts in Qatar and to support capacity building work in Malawi and India. Further details of planned activities are outlined below.

Australasia: A number of Water companies in Australia and New Zealand are looking at ways to deliver capital programmes more efficiently and will be going to the market for proposals in the next one to two years. To meet this need, SWI has developed a unique offering with KBR and will be active in pursuing bids in this area in the coming years.

SWI will continue to provide strategic support to SA Water, WaterNSW and Wellington Water (New Zealand) building on the excellent relationships developed in the current year. Areas of strategic support include Customer Strategies, Asset Management, Capital Delivery, Industry Frameworks and Operating Models.

As Water companies strive to deliver services more effectively and with greater customer focus, SWI will pursue business change and implementation of new operating model opportunities as they arise with key strategic partners such as Ernst & Young.

Europe: In Ireland, SWI hope to continue to provide advice and support to Irish Water with operation and maintenance improvements and will be bidding to support the implementation of the new Water Industry Operating Framework in Ireland when this comes to market.

In Romania, SWI along with WICS and SEPA are currently working in a cross public sector partnership with a bid proposal to support Romania's water regulator to strengthen its activities and support the water companies respond to that improved regulation. This project is supported by the EU.

In Norway, SWI are looking to support the City of Oslo with the development of best practice asset management and in particular their strategies around risk management of major water trunk mains.

North America: SWI are looking to build on the successful work in transformational change of water services in the City of Calgary and work with other water service companies to support their drive to increase performance. This coming year will see increased marketing and brand awareness with the following year (2018/19) looking to become more active in this market.

As part of our efforts in supporting international events in Scotland, we are working with the International Standards Organisation to support the ISO Technical Committee on Water Quality Conference in Edinburgh in April 2018 and will continue to explore similar opportunities to help promote Scotland's water profile.