How green can Amazon hydropower be? Net carbon emission from the largest hydropower plant in Amazonia

The current resurgence of hydropower expansion toward tropical areas has been largely based on run-of-the-river (ROR) dams, which are claimed to have lower environmental impacts due to their smaller reservoirs. The Belo Monte dam was built in Eastern Amazonia and holds the largest installed capacity among ROR power plants worldwide. Here, we show that postdamming greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Belo Monte area are up to three times higher than preimpoundment fluxes and equivalent to about 15 to 55 kg CO(2)eq MWh(-1). Since per-area emissions in Amazonian reservoirs are significantly higher than global averages, reducing flooded areas and prioritizing the power density of hydropower plants seem to effectively reduce their carbon footprints. Nevertheless, total GHG emissions are substantial even from this leading-edge ROR power plant. This argues in favor of avoiding hydropower expansion in Amazonia regardless of the reservoir type.

Automated summary

The study reveals that postdamming greenhouse gas emissions in the Belo Monte area are up to three times higher than preimpoundment fluxes, indicating significant environmental impacts of run-of-the-river hydropower plants. To reduce carbon footprints, prioritizing power density and reducing flooded areas of hydropower plants should be considered.