54
M. Irowarisima
in some cases, it is the solution because of the geographical placements
of each country and the dispersed nature of its population.
56 However,
they should play a complementary role with fossil fuel sources that have
more excellent reliability and are not subject to weather conditions and
can meet peak demand during evening periods.
57
For instance, the regions’ dependence on large dam construction for
hydropower is prone to seasonal variability of output, and the impact
of prolonged droughts in the region leads to fragile power systems and
creates financial and climate risks in the region.
58 These increased financial and environmental risks have called for an evaluation of dams being
used for power generation while in operation. A recent Oxford investigation reveals that in most cases, even without considering the attendant
negative externalities on the environment, the set-up costs for large dams
are way too high such that investors do not get a positive return on
investments. This comprises of costs incurred for running the dam and
implementation delays.
59 Hence, it was the conclusion of this study
that in considering long-term energy strategies for actualizing energy
efficiency system, dams do not produce a cheaper source of power.
For example, the Kariba Dam, which holds the world’s largest reservoir
and for 40% of South Africa’s generation capacity, has been incapacitated
by ongoing seasonal droughts induced by climate change conditions.
This dam which sits on the Zambezi River Basin supplies half of Zambia’s
electricity and South Africa as mentioned. This vulnerability caused by
high-risk weather extremes, both in floods and drought threatens two
countries’ economic activities.
60 Supposing this dam happens to supply
quite several countries within the SADC region, the threat to energy
access will be massive on a regional scale.
56 Ibid.
57 IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency, ‘Solar PV in Africa: Cost and Markets’
(Bonn, 2016), https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Sep/Solar-PV-in-Africa-Costs-and-Mar
kets, accessed March 18, 2020.
58 A Ansar, B Flyvbjerg, A Budzier, and D Lunn, ‘Should We Build More Large Dams? The
Actual Costs of Hydropower Megaproject Development’ (2014) 69 Energy Policy, 43–56.
59 J Leslie, ‘One of Africa’s Biggest Dams Is Falling Apart’, The New Yorker, February 2016.
60 C Casillas and DM Kammen, ‘The Energy-Poverty-Climate Nexus’, (2010) 330 Science,
1181–1182.
M. Irowarisima
in some cases, it is the solution because of the geographical placements
of each country and the dispersed nature of its population.
56 However,
they should play a complementary role with fossil fuel sources that have
more excellent reliability and are not subject to weather conditions and
can meet peak demand during evening periods.
57
For instance, the regions’ dependence on large dam construction for
hydropower is prone to seasonal variability of output, and the impact
of prolonged droughts in the region leads to fragile power systems and
creates financial and climate risks in the region.
58 These increased financial and environmental risks have called for an evaluation of dams being
used for power generation while in operation. A recent Oxford investigation reveals that in most cases, even without considering the attendant
negative externalities on the environment, the set-up costs for large dams
are way too high such that investors do not get a positive return on
investments. This comprises of costs incurred for running the dam and
implementation delays.
59 Hence, it was the conclusion of this study
that in considering long-term energy strategies for actualizing energy
efficiency system, dams do not produce a cheaper source of power.
For example, the Kariba Dam, which holds the world’s largest reservoir
and for 40% of South Africa’s generation capacity, has been incapacitated
by ongoing seasonal droughts induced by climate change conditions.
This dam which sits on the Zambezi River Basin supplies half of Zambia’s
electricity and South Africa as mentioned. This vulnerability caused by
high-risk weather extremes, both in floods and drought threatens two
countries’ economic activities.
60 Supposing this dam happens to supply
quite several countries within the SADC region, the threat to energy
access will be massive on a regional scale.
56 Ibid.
57 IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency, ‘Solar PV in Africa: Cost and Markets’
(Bonn, 2016), https://www.irena.org/publications/2016/Sep/Solar-PV-in-Africa-Costs-and-Mar
kets, accessed March 18, 2020.
58 A Ansar, B Flyvbjerg, A Budzier, and D Lunn, ‘Should We Build More Large Dams? The
Actual Costs of Hydropower Megaproject Development’ (2014) 69 Energy Policy, 43–56.
59 J Leslie, ‘One of Africa’s Biggest Dams Is Falling Apart’, The New Yorker, February 2016.
60 C Casillas and DM Kammen, ‘The Energy-Poverty-Climate Nexus’, (2010) 330 Science,
1181–1182.