Regional Leadership Forum Advancing Sustainable Hydropower in Latin America and the Caribbean

1. Sustainable Hydropower Development:
making it work
Environmental Dimension
Introduction
David L. Harrison
Senior Advisor
Global Freshwater Team
The Nature Conservancy

2. Environmental Issues of Potential Concern
Dams and diversion works can potentially alter the basic environmental
conditions which are the foundation for healthy river ecosystems
•Direct footprint of physical works and reservoir inundation
•Indirect effect of roads, transmission
• Altered flow patterns
•Sediment and nutrient trapping
• Water quality
•Connectivity:
•Barriers to migration up and down the river
•Broken connection to flow in and out of floodplains
•Species composition:
•Invasive species

4. P-19 Biodiversity & Invasive Species (page 90, Protocol)
Assessment Guidance
Biodiversity issues may include, for example: loss
of habitat; fish migration barriers; loss of spawning
grounds; loss of habitat connectivity; loss or
declines in important food chain species; loss of
wetlands; poaching, hunting or over-exploitation
of significant species; introduction of weed or pest
species; etc.
Measures to protect or enhance biodiversity
examples include: catchment protection,
creation of reserves or protected areas, habitat
conservation and improvement, species
management plans, translocations, habitat
rehabilitation, new habitat creation, managed flow
releases, etc.
Measures to address passage of aquatic species
examples include: fish ladders, fish elevators, catch
and release programs, fish hatcheries, re-stocking
programs, mechanisms for diversion away from
turbines for downstream passage, assisted cues
(water chemistry, operational conditions), choice
of turbine design, etc.

5. P-23 Downstream Flow Regimes (page 98-99 Protocol)
SCORE 3
Management: Plans and processes for delivery of downstream flow regimes have been developed
that include the flow objectives; the magnitude, range and variability of the flow regimes; the
locations at which flows will be verified; and ongoing monitoring…
Assessment Guidance
Downstream flow regimes might be specified for
different components and stages of projects in a
manner such as, for example: minimum flows in
part of certain seasons, maximum flows in part
of certain seasons, or specific flow events such as
a flushing flow or a flood intended to inundate
flood plains. Individual countries may have laws
specifying downstream flow requirements; in
such circumstances it will be necessary to see how
social, economic and environmental considerations
can still be taken into account. In cases where the
downstream impact of the project on flow regimes
extends beyond the jurisdiction in which the project
is found, any implications of this would need to be
taken into consideration.

6. P-3 Demonstrated Need & Strategic Fit (page 55 Protocol)
This topic addresses the contribution of the project in meeting demonstrated needs for water and
energy services, as identified through broadly agreed local, national and regional development
objectives and in national and regional policies and plans. The intent is that the project can
demonstrate its strategic fit with development objectives and relevant policies and plans can be
demonstrated, and that the project is a priority option to meet identified needs for water and
energy services.
Assessment Guidance:
Needs for water and energy services are those identified through broadly agreed local, national and
regional development objectives, policies and plans. A hydropower development to meet the energy
requirements of an energy-intensive off-taker (e.g. an aluminium smelter) would be considered a
demonstrated need if it is included in broadly agreed development objectives, policies and plans.
Water services examples include: water for energy generation, fisheries, floodplain agriculture, food
supply, water storage capacity, drinking water supply, sanitation, water for business and industry, irrigation
water supply, flood management, navigation, recreation, domestic needs of riparian dwellers, tourist
opportunities, vehicle for transboundary cooperation, ecosystem services (e.g. floodplain maintenance,
connectivity for migratory species, maintenance of off-river wetlands, nutrient and sediment balance, delta
sediment replenishment, estuarine flushing, spawning ground access and maintenance), etc.
Energy services examples include: provision of electricity to meet local, national and/or regional demand
or opportunities; provision of grid stability; provision of peak load; provision of ancillary benefits such as
spinning reserve, system regulation and improved thermal efficiency, etc.

7. Conclusions:
1) Environmental concerns can be readily address and generally avoided, minimized, mitigated or
compensated through reasonable planning and management.
Avoid, minimise, mitigate and compensate is a
concise expression for what is understood to be a
sequential process. Measures to avoid or prevent
negative or adverse impacts are always prioritised,
and where avoidance is not practicable, then
minimisation of adverse impacts is sought. Where
avoidance and minimisation are not practicable,
then mitigation and compensation measures are
identified and undertaken commensurate with the
project’s risks and impacts. (page 91 Protocol)
2) The best way to address these issues and to provide for sustainability for economic, social and
environmental values is through early, integrated (across water use sectors), multi-stakeholder,
river basin scale planning and management. We should seek to find a best fit, or an optimum
between all of these important societal values.

8. Currently Planned (EPE database) 60% capacity of currently planned

9. Thank You!