Our argument in this report is that hydropower falls short of being the renewable energy solution. The intrinsic problems of hydropower demands that we explore alternative avenues to supply modern renewable energy.
It has been well documented that large scale hydropower or mega dam projects have considerable consequences for the environment and groups of people living both upstream and downstream of hydropower installations. In many developing countries, dams are built without the full participation and consent of local inhabitants and without the proper environmental and social impact assessments. Local populations rarely receive the necessary compensation for their loss of habitat and livelihood. The subsequent energy that is produced by the dams often bypasses local populations and is sent to regional and national hubs where it is used predominantly to power industrial demands. In addition, the power produced is often too expensive for the majority of rural inhabitants.
The report has a case study from Mozambique.