Social aspects

As with other forms of economic activity, hydro projects bring about changes to the project area. Social changes are mainly associated with transformation of land use in the project area, and displacement of people living in the reservoir area.

The social effects of hydro schemes are variable and project-specific. However, if anticipated and tackled early in the planning stage of a project, the negative impacts can be addressed efficiently, and in some cases avoided altogether. Positive aspects can include substantial infrastructure and community services development.

It is increasingly common for an effective public participation programme to be implemented from the early stages of a project. When the project is considered as an opportunity for the community, the people affected will be able to enjoy a higher standard of living through associated infrastructural developments such as the provision of water and sanitation services. Sincere and concerted efforts are being made to demonstrate this aspect. Recent examples include projects in Laos, Uganda, India, China, Japan and Brazil.

Environmental changes

Although the majority of hydropower reservoirs are valued as environmental enhancements by the societies they serve, it is clear that not every hydro plant in the world is without environmental challenges. Often, however, projected reservoirs can in fact focus attention on existing problems in a watershed.

Today, the multi-disciplinary hydropower profession is well aware of the problems to be addressed. The expertise exists to mitigate the known impacts, in order to achieve an acceptable balance, and research continues.

Changes relating to sedimentation, fauna, flora and water quality, for example, are predicted with increasing precision by the profession. If considered by experts early in the planning process, these changes can be managed or even turned to social and/or environmental advantage.

All modern hydropower projects include a comprehensive environmental impact assessment at the early stages of investigation. Environmental management programmes ensure that mitigation and enhancement measures continue throughout the operating life of the project.

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