Hydropower: A tool for sustainable development

Hydropower's strength as a globally benign renewable energy is compromised by its tendency to affect local ecosystems and communities. In this classic trade-off, increasing competitive pressure within a privatizing power business calls for careful risk and market analysis. Aiming at sustainable development means taking full account of all externalities and adopting a joint and long-term outlook that integrates social, economic and environmental objectives. This paper presents a hydropower scheme that is skillfully planned, built and operated which can make significant contributions to achieving the three pillars of sustainable development.