Hydroelectric plants, generally found in dams across rivers, provide more electricity worldwide than any other low-carbon energy source, and they continue to grow today. Hydropower is relatively affordable, especially as their ‘fuel’ – water – is free. A hydropower generator’s output is flexible, as the water flow is easily controlled, and it can also help store water. Hydropower is a renewable energy source, though it does have some associated emissions (take those connected with construction, for example)

While a powerful source of clean electricity, large hydroelectric plants, or mega-dams, can come with high natural and human costs. They may drastically change the landscape, displace millions of people, or create geopolitical tensions as water sources are coveted and redirected. By cutting off fish like salmon from traveling up the river to breed, they can also disrupt fisheries and create food insecurity in communities around the plant.

Small in-stream hydropower projects, when designed carefully, will not disrupt the river’s flow. They produce small amounts of electricity, and can replace diesel generators and help expand energy access. Small-scale hydropower is especially valuable in remote areas without access to electrical grid networks. These small systems are more expensive per kilowatt than fossil fuels, and some costs may fall on communities or families. Government programs or projects from international groups and nonprofits can help meet these costs.

When you take this action, remove 1 Ecological Resilience token from your player board to add 2 Clean Energy tokens to your player board.
You may take this action once per round.

• Hydroelectricity  (International Energy Agency, IEA)

• Why aren’t we looking at hydropower? (MIT)

• Small hydropower (Project Drawdown)

• Hydroelectric Power: Advantages of Production and Usage (U.S. Geological Survey, USGS)

• If you’re able, advocate for a small hydropower system in your community. Reach out to your local power authority and keep up to date on any new developments in your local grid.

• Consider advocating against mega-dam projects in your area that could negatively impact your community.