Temperature - European Investment Bank

WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL (WAPP) PÖYRY ENERGY LTD.
Mount Coffee HPP ESIA and RAP 2012-09-18
ESIA Report Page 35
7.3 Effects of Mt. Coffee Reservoir on Local Climate
The presence of a surface of water of 8.1 km² will increase evaporation, and it can have
a moderating effect on temperature. However, evapotranspiration from dense evergreen
vegetation is similar to evaporation from an open water surface, therefore the difference
will be very small. The lake will be far too small to have a noticeable effect on the
climate. The effects (reduction of temperature variation, increase in humidity), if any,
will be limited to the immediate surroundings of the reservoir, and they will be too
small to play any decisive role. In any case, as shown above, seasonal temperature
variations are minimal, no additional attenuating effect can take place here.
7.4 Climate Change
It has to be stated clearly that the concept of Climate Change refers to the effects
observed on a global level, induced by man-made greenhouse gas emissions, and that
this is a very different issue as regards the effect of the reservoir on local climate, which
has been discussed above. Here, the focus is on effects of climate change on water
availability for hydropower production (and for irrigation, as far as this is of concern in
the context of this ESIA). Obviously, the fact that reservoirs, under certain conditions,
can be sources of greenhouse gasses has to be taken into account (see Section 8.4.5).
7.5 Conclusions
Mt. Coffee HPP will not have any effect on the local climate. No mitigation measures
are required.
Issues related to climate change and GHG emissions are addressed below.