Water for people.pdf - WHO Thailand Digital Repository

2 5 8 / C H A L L E N G E S T O L I F E A N D W E L L - B E I N GDeveloping Energy to Meet Development NeedsBox 10.2: Large-scale hydropower in AsiaIn 1997, Asia had an installed hydroelectric capacity ofabout 100 GW. Asia is the continent with the fastestgrowinghydroelectric industry, with many Asian countriesstating that hydropower is the main focus for thedevelopment of their power sectors. China currently hasthe highest level of hydropower development activity inthe world. The 18.2 GW Three Gorges dam, the 3.3 GWErtan and the 1.8 GW Xiaolangdi hydroelectric projects areall under construction. Hydroelectric schemes with a totalcapacity of 50 GW are currently being built, and this willdouble the existing capacity in the country. Theconstruction of an additional four large-scale projects willcommence shortly: Xiluodo (14.4 GW), Xiangjiaba (6 GW),Longtan (4.2 GW) and Xiaowan (4.2 GW). Implementationof a further 80 GW of hydropower is planned, includingthirteen stations along the upper reaches of the YellowRiver, and ten stations along the Hongshui River.sites quantified as economically feasible are tapped.Hydropower plants emit much less greenhouse gas than thermalplants. Greenhouse gas emissions of hydropower are caused by thedecay of vegetation in flooded areas and by the extensive use ofcement in dam construction (not applicable for run-of-the-river type,mini-, micro- and small hydropower plants). Unfortunately, there arelocal impacts of the use of rivers, social as well as ecological, andthey are gaining importance as people become aware of how thoseaffect living standards. Most renewable sources of hydroelectricitygeneration are capital-intensive but have lower operational costs thanthermal and nuclear options. The high initial cost is a serious barrierA 280 MW hydropower station is being constructed inPaunglaung, Myanmar. In the Philippines, construction hasstarted on the 70 MW Bakun AC scheme, which will be oneof the first private hydropower projects in the country. VietNam has a large number of medium- to large-scalehydropower schemes planned for completion by the year2010, including the 3.6 GW Son La scheme. India has 10 GWof hydropower under construction, with a further 28 GWplanned. Indonesia has six large-scale hydro schemesplanned, with a total capacity of 2 GW. In Malaysia however,due to environmental and economic pressures, the 2.4 GWBakun hydroelectric project has been indefinitely delayed.A number of Asian countries have major pumpedstorage development programmes, including Korea(2.3 GW under construction and 800 MW planned),Thailand (1 GW under construction and 1.46 GW planned)and Indonesia (1 GW planned).Source: Based on The Australian Greenhouse Office web site, renewable energy section.http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/. Data extracted in May 2002.for its growth in developing countries where most of the untappedeconomic potential is located. It is a point of controversy whetherhydropower is a clean, ecologically beneficial and sustainable form ofenergy generation, or whether the disadvantages associated withhydropower, such as the inundation of land, the associated disruptionand displacement of communities, the adverse health effects forvulnerable groups as well as wildlife and fish habitats, arepredominant. A rigorous environmental and health impact assessmentis generally necessary for any project involving water storage.Table 10.4 summarizes characteristic elements of hydropower in theform of its technical and environmental advantages and disadvantages.Table 10.4: Advantages and disadvantages of hydropowerAdvantages of hydropowerRenewable energyFree fuel resourceFuel saverFlexible to meet loadEfficient technologyReliable, durable and proven technologyLow operation and maintenance costsFew atmospheric pollutantsDisadvantages of hydropowerHigh investment costsHydrology dependent (precipitation)In some cases, inundation of land and wildlife habitatIn some cases, loss or modification of fish habitatFish entrainment or passage restrictionIn some cases, changes in reservoir and stream water qualityIn some cases, displacement of local populationsHydropower schemes present various costs and environmental and social advantages and disadvantages.