China drought highlights risks of relying on ‘unsustainable’ hydropower
- Sichuan province, which relies on hydro for 80 per cent of its energy, has been forced to cut supplies because of water shortages
- Researchers warn that the country should diversify its power supplies in case such extreme weather events become more common in future
Hydropower produces about 80 per cent of Sichuan’s energy and the province is one of the areas worst affected by the current heatwave, the worst since national records began six decades ago.
The State Grid said the province’s hydropower generation capacity has been halved in the past two months because of the resulting drought, which has seen major rivers dry up along the Yangtze valley.
Residents in Dazhou city said the Xiaohezui dam – which usually produces enough power for 500 households – had not produced power for over a month because of water shortages.
The Zhou river, where the dam is built, has now run dry, exposing the rocks on the river bed.
“There have been droughts before but not as severe as this year,” said Zhang Xingquan, a local carwash owner, who has lost two thirds of his income as a result of the power and water shortages.
