Core Insights - Climate change is causing increased frequency and intensity of droughts and heatwaves globally, leading to significant declines in hydropower generation capacity in regions like North America, South America, Africa, and South Asia, resulting in power crises in multiple countries [1][2][4] Hydropower Development Trends - The growth rate of new hydropower installations is slowing down, with global hydropower generation growth remaining below 1% from 2018 to 2023 due to drought conditions [2] - In 2023, global hydropower generation decreased by over 100 terawatt-hours, a decline of more than 2% year-on-year [2] - By 2050, 61% of proposed hydropower projects will be located in high-risk areas for flooding and drought, particularly affecting South Asia and Southeast Asia [2] Regional Impacts - In the U.S., hydropower generation in 2024 is projected to be 13% lower than the average of the previous decade, marking the lowest level since 2001 due to extreme drought conditions [3] - Canada, a major hydropower exporter, has seen its hydropower generation drop, leading to a decrease in exports to the U.S. and a historic first for Canada to purchase electricity from the U.S. in eight years [3] - In East Africa, hydropower systems heavily reliant on major rivers have experienced a 30% to 50% decline in river flow due to ongoing drought, severely impacting power generation [5] Economic and Social Consequences - The economic impact of power shortages is significant, with Ecuador experiencing up to 14 hours of daily power cuts, resulting in losses of $12 million for each hour of outage [4] - In Tanzania, the textile industry faced over $200 million in order losses due to unstable electricity supply, while rural areas experienced public health crises due to disrupted water systems [6] Policy and Future Directions - The hydropower sector requires more policy support and innovative approaches to adapt to climate risks, with a focus on maintaining existing facilities rather than new projects [7][8] - African nations are exploring digital solutions and hybrid energy systems to enhance the stability of hydropower generation, such as Ethiopia's digital twin project and Uganda's floating solar-hydropower hybrid stations [7] - The International Energy Agency emphasizes the need for policy breakthroughs and streamlined project approval processes to support hydropower expansion, contrasting with the focus on wind and solar energy in many countries [8]
气候危机影响显现，全球水电新建装机步伐放缓
Zhong Guo Neng Yuan Wang·2025-05-26 08:43