Impact of climate change on hydropower and its future

El climate change is causing environmental, economic and social consequences that are affecting millions of people around the world. Alterations in climatic patterns, such as prolonged droughts, floods and variability of rainfall, not only have a direct impact on daily life, but also deeply affect electricity production infrastructures, especially those that depend on water, such as hydroelectric power.

As the climate changes, Energy sources that depend on natural resources are critically affected. In the case of hydroelectric energy, the availability of water in rivers and reservoirs is key to the proper functioning of the plants and the generation of electricity.

Operation of hydroelectric plants

Hydroelectric power plants work by harnessing the movement of water flowing through a turbine, which, as it spins, generates electricity. This model has historically been reliable, economical and clean, but requires relatively constant water flows to operate efficiently.

However, the climate change is altering water flows in many areas of the world. In the mid latitudesFor example, river flows are expected to decrease significantly as a result of global warming. This poses a risk to countries whose electricity relies heavily on hydropower.

Impact of climate change on water flows

As the planet warms, temperatures rise and with them, the risk of droughts more frequent and extreme. This results in a reduction in the amount of water available in rivers and reservoirs, which reduces the production capacity of hydroelectric plants. This dependence on water makes hydroelectric energy a vulnerable source of energy in the face of climate change.

Furthermore, the floods caused by more severe storms and heavy rainfall can significantly damage hydroelectric power plant infrastructure. In regions such as Southeast Asia and parts of Latin America, plants have faced serious challenges due to climate variability, with production interruptions of electricity and collateral damage in the affected areas.

Most affected regions

Globally, more than 60 countries rely on hydropower to generate most of their electricity. These include several regions vulnerable to water shortages due to the climate changeIn Latin America, for example, countries such as Brazil, Colombia y Ecuador are heavily dependent on hydroelectric power. The El Niño phenomenon It has caused historic droughts that have reduced water levels in reservoirs, seriously affecting production capacity in these regions.

In North America, United States y Canada are seeing a decline in their water reserves due to warmer winters that do not generate sufficient snow accumulation. This snow, when melted in the spring, recharges the rivers and reservoirs that feed hydroelectric plants. However, with shorter and warmer winters, this source of fresh water is rapidly diminishing.

In African countries such as Ethiopia and DR Congo, dependence on hydroelectric power is critical, accounting for more than 80% of electricity generation. However, drought has severely affected the ability of these countries to maintain a constant electricity supply.

Global capacity and recent statistics

The installed capacity of hydroelectric energy worldwide is approximately 900 gigawatts (GW). However, this figure does not guarantee stability given the climate changeIt is estimated that between 61% and 74% of global hydropower projects will face reduced generation problems due to water scarcity.

Projections indicate that the lack of water will particularly affect hydroelectric plants in Latin America, Africa and Asia. In countries such as Brazil, the largest hydroelectric plants, such as Belo Monte and Tucuruí, face scenarios of lower flow and fewer days with constant rain, which puts energy production and the energy security of the region at risk.

Social and economic consequences

The dependence of the hydroelectric power It also has serious consequences at the social and economic level. In countries where this source represents a high percentage of electricity generation, power outages caused by drought can lead to a energy crisis with direct repercussions on the economy. In these cases, it is common to resort to more polluting sources, such as gas and coal plants, which aggravates the problem of climate change.

Furthermore, the job loss In the energy sector, the increased cost of products and services due to high electricity costs has a direct impact on the population. In some cases, infrastructure damaged by flooding also requires multi-million dollar investments to be repaired or replaced.

Adaptation measures to climate change

Given this scenario, it is crucial that countries take measures to adapt their energy infrastructure to the new climate challenges. It is suggested to adopt new technologies, such as the installation of floating solar panels in hydroelectric reservoirs. This technology is being used in China and Brazil with good results, allowing for the generation of additional electricity in times of water shortage.

Another approach is to diversify electricity sources to rely less on hydroelectricity. Countries such as Kenya y Ghana have begun to integrate renewable sources such as solar and wind power into their electricity grid, thereby easing the pressure on hydroelectric systems.

Finally, it is also important to strengthen the construction of infrastructure that is more resilient to extreme weather events, such as the construction of new dams that can withstand severe weather events.

Climate change represents one of the greatest challenges for the global energy sector. Hydropower, despite its key role in generating renewable electricity, is undermined by changes in weather patterns. It is necessary to move towards a more diversified and resilient energy model, combining clean and technologically advanced sources, to move forward with a fair and sustainable energy transition.