13th ICOLD European Clu Symposium, 21-25 September 2026, Poland
The 13th Symposium of the ICOLD European Club was held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, from September 21 to 25, 2026.
On September 21, 2026, the meeting of the ICOLD European Club’s Executive Board took place, an organization of which Albania has been a full member for ten years, alongside meetings of working groups focused on topics such as dams and earthquakes, embankments and flood protection, pressure tunnels and penstocks, and others. Representatives from 22 European dam committees participated in the event. Mr. Ardian Islami, the newly elected Chairman of the Albanian National Committee on Large Dams (ALCOLD), also participated online.
The four sessions of the 13th ICOLD European Club Symposium were held from September 22 to 24, covering key topics such as:
- Safe management of dams and reservoirs for the public.
- Dams and Energy.
- Dam engineering and construction.
- Embankments and levees.
Additionally, the 100th-anniversary ceremony of the French Committee on Dams and Reservoirs (CFBR) was held on September 23, 2026. During the plenary session of the ceremony, presentations covered the energy context in France and the role of hydroelectric reservoirs; the role of the CFBR in the successful establishment of EURCOLD in September 1995; the global experience of French dam engineering; and issues regarding multi-purpose dams and water resource management in France.
On September 25, a working visit to the Żur and Koronowo dams was organized
During the symposium in Bydgoszcz, the Albanian team presented a article regarding the management and monitoring of the Vau i Dejës Hydropower Plant (HPP) complex. The presentation focused on modernizing the monitoring systems for the dam and reservoir, as well as the potential for integrating photovoltaic (PV) plants at the site.
Working meetings were held with representatives from corresponding European Committees and the ICOLD Board of Directors, including ICOLD President Mr. Dewendra Kumar Sharma and the Presidents of the SWISSCOLD, CFR, DTK and other National Committees. Discussions centered on future cooperation between EURCOLD and European dam National committees, as well as the organization of joint activities regarding dam safety and monitoring.
A technical team from Kosovo, led by Ms. Fitore Pacolli from the Ministry of Infrastructure, also participated in the symposium for the first time. The Kosovo team held working meetings with the Presidents of ICOLD and EURCOLD, as well as with representatives of European dam committees; discussions focused on future cooperation among experts in the field, ICOLD’s assistance and support regarding the organization of the dam sector in Kosovo, and other related matters.
Further details regarding the event’s activities can be found on the website: www.eurcold.org
