Large Hydropower Projects: Renewable and Green?
Key issues to consider
There has been considerable debate about the definitions of "green" and "renewable" sources of energy in North America. Hydropower is either included or excluded in these definitions, and distinctions are often made between large and small projects.
These distinctions are based on the belief that small projects offer social and environmental advantages over large ones because they have a less imposing scale and usually affect only small waterways. According to this view, large hydroelectric projects are unacceptable because of their adverse social and environmental consequences.
This paper clarifies these issues by addressing the following questions:
- Should hydro be included in Renewable Energy Portfolios?
- Are distinctions between large and small hydroelectric projects justified?
- By what means can hydro qualify as "green" power?