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A short overview of the Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program

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Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program

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What people are saying about Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program

“Looking back, I wish I had access to a course like this earlier in my career. The sections on Maintenance, Budgeting, and Data Analytics really connected the dots for me — these are areas that would have made a big difference in my growth as an Operator. It’s very important for operators to learn these soft skills to truly excel in their jobs. The Hydropower O&M Essentials Training does an excellent job of bridging technical knowledge with practical, real-world insight.”

Plant Operator (16MW and 31MW HPP)

Duncan Godfrey

“Our team of five — including myself and several plant operators — attended the Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program together, and we absolutely loved every aspect of it. The course struck the perfect balance between technical depth and practical relevance. It gave our operators valuable tools and perspectives they could immediately apply in our daily operations. We especially appreciated how the modules connected maintenance strategies, budgeting, safety, and asset management into one cohesive framework. Highly recommended for any team looking to strengthen their operational and asset-management practices.”

Senior Project Manager, Atlin Expansion Hydropower Project

Stuart Simpson, Tlingit Homeland Energy Limited Partnership (THELP)

“The training exceeded our expectations, providing both strategic insights and practical tools to tackle operational challenges. We are confident this will drive sustainable improvements in our projects.”

President, DÉVELOPPEMENT PEK

Marc Morin

“A great course — informative, relevant, and well-presented. I’d be happy to recommend it to others in the hydropower industry. ”

Director of Business Development & Energy Projects

Mike Michano, Pic River First Nation

“It was a pleasure to join the Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program. The course content was practical and well-delivered — especially the Maintenance Strategy and Planning modules, which I found extremely useful. It’s a program I found valuable and would recommend to our operators, maintainers, and engineers. Looking forward to future sessions.”

Manager, Western Operations

Ian Strain, First Light Power

“I really enjoyed the Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program. The course ramped up perfectly — starting from the fundamentals in Hydro 101 and progressing into more advanced topics like Maintenance Strategies, Data Management, Budgeting, and Asset Management. I found it to be the right balance of technical and practical content, making it an excellent program for both management and site operators. It truly brings everyone together with a common language.”

Manager, Generation Operations

Jason Hoskin, Peterborough Utilities Inc.

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Courses are designed by Asset Management Professionals with over 100+ years of combined of experience in Hydropower O&M

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Authors & Contributors

Sunbird Power Academy

Program Leadership

Manager, Hydropower Training | Training Curator

James Florence – Hydropower O&M Specialist & Site Manager (20+ years)

James is a seasoned hydropower Operator and Site Manager with more than two decades of hands-on experience in plant operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, and rehabilitation. His work includes SCADA and HMI upgrades, electromechanical rebuilds, major maintenance planning, and day-to-day operational management across hydropower facilities in Canada.
At Sunbird Power Academy, James manages the day-to-day training needs, ensuring that every module reflects real-world operating conditions, practical O&M practices, and the safety and reliability expectations of modern hydropower facilities. His field-based expertise and clear, direct teaching style make him a trusted trainer for operators, maintainers, engineers, and asset managers.

Program Author

Babar Khan, P.Eng., EMBA – Founder, Sunbird Power Academy

Co-Author, World Bank’s Hydropower Operations & Maintenance Strategies Handbook (2020)

Babar is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of international experience in hydropower operations, maintenance, rehabilitation, asset management, and infrastructure development. He has managed the operations of 11 hydropower plants, delivered modernization and rehabilitation programs, and provided advisory services to utilities, IPPs, Indigenous power companies, and global institutions including the World Bank Group, IFC, KPMG, and Manitoba Hydro International.
As Founder and Program Author, Babar developed the Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program to bridge the gap between operator-level practice and strategic asset-management principles. His training approach integrates field experience, engineering judgment, and internationally recognized best practices to deliver learning that is practical, modern, and immediately applicable to hydropower operations.

Special Thanks

We extend our appreciation to several hydropower professionals whose past involvement, insights, and contributions strengthened the development of this program:

  • Nigel Wills (In Memoriam) – Senior Hydropower Advisor; Former Managing Director, Manitoba Hydro International; Co-Author of the World Bank O&M Handbook
  • Chris Reed – Electromechanical Specialist & Hydropower O&M Trainer with 30+ years of commissioning and maintenance experience
  • James Carter – Senior Leader in Hydropower O&M and Project Development, Board Member, Ontario Waterpower Association

Their expertise contributed to the depth, clarity, and real-world relevance of the Hydropower O&M Essentials Training Program.

FAQ

  • Who is this training designed for?

    This program is designed for operators, maintainers, engineers, and asset managers in the hydropower and renewable energy sectors. It’s ideal for both newcomers and experienced professionals who want to strengthen their technical and management skills.

  • Do I receive a certificate after completing a module?

    Absolutely. You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from Sunbird Power Academy for each finished module, which can count toward professional development hours (PDHs) or continuing education credits.

  • Is the course self-paced, and how long do I have access?

    Yes — all courses are self-paced and available online. You’ll have 90 days of access to complete each module at your own pace, with the flexibility to start, pause, and resume anytime.

  • How much does it cost, and are there bundle options?

    Each paid module is $300, or you can enrol in the 5-course bundle for $1,000 CAD. If you’re not completely satisfied, you’ll receive a 100% refund within 5 days of enrolment — no questions asked.