Why hydropower is failing this nation — and could fail others

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Washington Post or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Zambia’s reliance on hydropower has been devastated by prolonged droughts linked to climate change, reducing water levels at the Kariba Dam — the country’s primary energy source — to critical lows
• Frequent power outages are crippling daily life and business operations, forcing many to turn to charcoal and coal for energy
• This shift undermines Zambia’s green ambitions, increases deforestation, and exacerbates climate challenges

🔭 The context: Hydropower supplies nearly all of Zambia’s electricity, but low rainfall and increasing evaporation rates have reduced output to just 10% of the Kariba plant’s capacity
• This crisis mirrors global trends, as 26% of hydropower plants face medium to high water scarcity risks, projected to rise to 32% by 2050
• In response, Zambia has resorted to diesel generators and coal expansion, reversing its green energy progress

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The crisis highlights the vulnerability of hydropower to climate change, jeopardizing global clean energy goals and pushing nations toward fossil fuels
• Zambia’s growing reliance on charcoal is driving deforestation, further reducing its carbon absorption capacity
• The situation exemplifies the complex trade-offs developing nations face between immediate survival and long-term sustainability

⏭️ What's next: Zambia aims to diversify energy sources by expanding coal, rushing diesel generators, and pursuing solar projects
• However, without affordable alternatives, deforestation and fossil fuel reliance are expected to worsen
• The country urgently needs international support to transition toward resilient renewable solutions while addressing its growing population's energy needs

💬 One quote: “Without the rainfall, this infrastructure becomes a white elephant,” — Cephas Museba, Kariba Dam plant manager

📈 One stat: Hydropower, which provides 50% of global clean energy, experienced a record decline in output last year due to extreme droughts

Click for more news covering the latest on renewable energy