Small hydropower development in Tibet: Insights from a survey in Nagqu Prefecture

Due to its large hydraulic power potential, Tibet has been proposed as the main hydropower development base in China after 2020. This is likely to result in the construction of large and medium sized hydropower projects in this region. To date, small hydropower (SHP) has played an essential role in rural electrification in Tibet. Here we present a review of the status of SHP plants in Tibet and explore its potential based on a field survey conducted in the summer of 2014 in Nagqu Prefecture. The survey revealed that SHP in Nagqu has made it possible for approximately 80,000 local residents (16.3% of the total population) to have access to electricity. Our study shows that SHP suffers from problems such as low utilization of the installed power capacity, high scrap ratio, and has severe impacts on the local ecosystem. Moreover, the role of SHP in Tibet's rural electrification is gradually changing with the arrival of the main power grid, which has also impacted existing SHP plants. In order to improve SHP overall sustainability, optimization of existing plants and construction of new plants with higher standards are deemed necessary. This has to be done with due consideration to the fragile ecosystem in Tibet. Therefore, any expansion in the development of SHP in Tibet should have an appropriate strategy for sustainability and ecosystems conservation and protection.