Use the "back" button of your browser to return to the list of abstracts.
ASSESSING THE POTENTAIL OF RUN-OF-RIVER (ROR) HYDROPOWER ENERGY IN UPPER BLUE NILE BASIN, ETHIOPIA [Abstract ID: 0604-04]
Renewable energy (RE) is the core in building climate resilience, a green economy and provides sizable economic development opportunities. It is important to transition to a renewable-based energy system to fuel economic growth while helping to meet the Paris agreement on climate. Studies show that power from climate-related energy sources fluctuates in time and space following their driving climatic variables. In Ethiopia, the main source of RE is mainly large hydropower plants such as Koka, Awash, Fincha, Beles, Tekeze etc., including the new construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, whereas the small run-of-river (ROR) is given no attention at all though the amount of energy produced by ROR is important in several places. Socially, large hydropower is known for adverse impacts such as human rights violations, environmental destruction, and population displacement. Small hydropower contributes to community resilience by distributing the responsibility for energy generation and is connected to low social inequality as they commonly provide off-grid services to rural and remote communities, with minimal environmental concerns. The objective of this talk is to present the potential of wild run-of-river (ROR) energy sources in the upper Blue Nile basin and discuss the pros of small hydropower over large hydropower in Ethiopia.