The Power of Rivers: Finding balance between energy and conservation in hydropower development

Abstract

Global hydropower capacity is projected to approximately double from the 2010 installed capacity of 1,000 gigawatts (GW). This expansion would require a dramatic increase in the number of hydropower dams in river basins around the world, including many basins that still have natural, free-flowing rivers. Although hydropower can play an important role in a low-carbon energy future, a doubling of hydropower capacity risks many other values that rivers provide, including fisheries and flood-recession agriculture that feed hundreds of millions of people. “The Power of Rivers” explores the potential for achieving more balanced outcomes from hydropower development.

Citation

Opperman, J., Grill, G. and Hartmann, J., 2015. The power of rivers: finding balance between energy and conservation in hydropower development. The Nature Conservancy, Washington, DC, p.52.