The Cost of Mega-Dams

The latest edition of the New York Times’ Choking on Growth series on China’s development focuses on problems emerging from the Three Gorges Dam. To satisfy the country’s growing energy needs, the Chinese government has declared its desire to have 15 percent of its energy consumption come from renewable sources by 2020. Today, the Three Gorges contributes to this goal by acting as tremendous source of hydropower. It is the “biggest man-made producer of electricity from renewable energy” in the world.

However, debate is increasing over whether building the Three Gorges was a brilliant idea or a major blunder. Aside from the deforestation and massive population displacement involved in the dam’s construction, there are now increasing concerns over a number of additional environmental problems, including water pollution, landslides, and the exacerbation of the area’s geological fragility.

Despite these problems, construction of additional hydropower stations is booming across China. Environmentalists argue for tighter regulation, positing that energy should not be considered “renewable” if its generation itself entails enormous environmental costs. However, the article points out that,

“[e]qual parts vanity project and technological marvel, the Three Gorges was initially conceived for flood control, not for any efforts to promote clean energy.”

Indeed, dams have turned out to be a significant source of revenue, making the consideration to build and maintain them as much a business decision as anything else. With all these considerations in mind, many wonder whether we will witness a “domino effect”: will each mega-dam beget another?