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Created: Feb 23, 2008
Updated: Nov 24, 2009
Membership: Open
Public
Meeting Africa's Energy Needs: The Costs and Benefits of Hydropower
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From the Executive Summary:
"In this report, WWF, Oxfam GB and WaterAid have joined forces to analyze the role hydropower can play in securing a sustainable energy future for Africa. We look at the legacy of hydropower development in Africa, recognizing its benefits but also highlighting the social and environmental impacts of a number of large hydropower schemes which have put an additional burden on hundreds of thousands of poor people. Through two case studies, we seek to demonstrate that under the right circumstances, hydropower schemes can maximize benefits and minimize impacts and we emphasize the scope of small-scale hydropower, along with other renewable energy sources, for meeting rural energy needs.
We conclude that hydropower has a place in Africa's energy supply but needs to be part of a balanced energy portfolio. We find it unacceptable that under current scenarios, the number of people lacking access to modern energy services is set to increase. We thus urge decision-makers to give greater priority to poverty reduction in energy strategies and to ensure that both small and large-scale hydropower development brings direct benefits to those with the greatest need. When large hydropower plants are being considered, they should only be built following the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams. We also stress the need for addressing the negative impacts of existing hydropower projects through effective mitigation programmes and for protecting rivers that are of particular importance for biodiversity and fisheries."
"In this report, WWF, Oxfam GB and WaterAid have joined forces to analyze the role hydropower can play in securing a sustainable energy future for Africa. We look at the legacy of hydropower development in Africa, recognizing its benefits but also highlighting the social and environmental impacts of a number of large hydropower schemes which have put an additional burden on hundreds of thousands of poor people. Through two case studies, we seek to demonstrate that under the right circumstances, hydropower schemes can maximize benefits and minimize impacts and we emphasize the scope of small-scale hydropower, along with other renewable energy sources, for meeting rural energy needs.
We conclude that hydropower has a place in Africa's energy supply but needs to be part of a balanced energy portfolio. We find it unacceptable that under current scenarios, the number of people lacking access to modern energy services is set to increase. We thus urge decision-makers to give greater priority to poverty reduction in energy strategies and to ensure that both small and large-scale hydropower development brings direct benefits to those with the greatest need. When large hydropower plants are being considered, they should only be built following the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams. We also stress the need for addressing the negative impacts of existing hydropower projects through effective mitigation programmes and for protecting rivers that are of particular importance for biodiversity and fisheries."
