Sustaining Hydropower Energy for Economic Growth and Development in West Africa Hydropower Development And Management

Abstract

One challenge that faces hydropower is the environmental and social impacts that are usually associated with the development and management of hydropower. On account of this, there is currently a preference for moderately sized hydropower development projects. Further, the cost of developing huge hydropower projects is very high with long gestation periods. Electricity generation capacities are less than 1,000 MW, against huge demand for domestic, service, and industrial applications for most of the countries in the region. The study reveals that electricity generation in SSA is associated with acute shortages and high levels of unreliability. Electricity generation capacities are less than 1,000 MW, against huge demand for domestic, service, and industrial applications for most of the countries in the region.