Scoping Papers: Examining the utility and use of long-term climate information for hydropower schemes in sub-Saharan Africa

Investigates potential use of long-term climate information for decision making for hydropower schemes

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
1 January 2014
Document Type:
Technical Report
Theme:
Climate and Environment
Authors:
HR Wallingford

Abstract

This paper has been prepared to support the scoping phase of the Future Climate for Africa (FCFA) programme. The focus of the FCFA is to advance scientific knowledge, understanding and prediction of African climate variability and change on 5 to 40 year timescales, together with support for better integration of climate science into longer-term decision making, leading to improved climate risk management and the protection of lives and livelihoods.

The paper investigates the current potential use of long-term climate information for decision making for hydropower schemes in sub-Saharan Africa. Hydropower schemes are long-lived infrastructure. These are pieces of infrastructure that usually can be maintained for a significantly greater number of years than most other capital assets. The main objectives of this paper are to provide evidence on the following areas:

  • The risks and opportunities which climate change presents to hydropower schemes.

  • The use of climate services in medium to long-term decision making related to hydropower infrastructure.

Citation

HR Wallingford. Future Climate for Africa - Scoping Papers: Examining the utility and use of long-term climate information for hydropower schemes in sub-Saharan Africa. HR Wallingford, Wallingford, UK (2014) 41 pp.

Published 1 January 2014
Contents