Hard to evaluate the construction of these mega-projects without exploring the counterfactuals. Where should Indians get their electricity from if not hydro power?
Well, in most countries wind and solar are rapidly growing compared to hydro. A more critical question for India is what else could replace the melting Himalayan glaciers and reducing snow cover, as a storage of water for the dry season?
Well, in most countries wind and solar are rapidly growing compared to hydro.
That's more a consequence of hydro sites having been built out already. If you've got a prime candidate for development, you'll find it difficult to get a better yield on the dollar over a smaller geographic footprint.
A more critical question for India is what else could replace the melting Himalayan glaciers and reducing snow cover, as a storage of water for the dry season?
Water conservation also a very big deal in India right now. Although the downstream impact of damming also tends to be droughts.
What? Dams usually have a regulating effect on flow downstream. Why would it cause swings?
For most of the day, the dam will hold back water, letting only a small amount through, roughly equivalent to the region’s dry season. But for about four hours each night, it will release water to generate power, sending a raging river downstream almost like during monsoon season.
Why would they build it like that? That’s stupid and wasteful. Why?!
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