The Future of Large Dams in Latin America and the Caribbean: IDB's Energy Strategy for the Region
By Jaime Millán (12/99, En) See also Environment and Natural Resources
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has been unique among regions because of its high reliance on hydropower in meeting electricity generation needs. Although this has resulted in cheap electricity and significant lower emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG) it has also impacted the local environment, in ways not always for the good. The region has learned a lot since the sixties and seventies when it entered into a dash for hydro as a solution to rising oil prices. At the dawn of the new century the region has found in natural gas a cheaper alternative to hydropower for electricity generation. However, rising concerns for GHG emissions, associated with thermal generation, may put a premium on hydropower as the only available source with the potential to make significant contributions to diminish emissions in the short term.
This paper addresses the question of what the future role for hydro might be in meeting the electricity needs of LAC, what issues are involved and what actions the IDB could take to support these developments.
Last updated: 05/08/07
