Annual gross water loss vs annual energy production of hydropower plants (mcm/GWh)
In 2016, a total of 42 billion cubic meters of water was lost through evaporation in hydropower reservoirs in Africa. A huge amount compared to the 1.2 billion cubic meters lost from all the other fuel types combined. In the same period, hydropower accounted for 15% of Africa’s total energy production. The ratio of annual water loss (from a hydropower reservoir) versus energy production (of the associated hydropower plant) describes somehow the water efficiency of a hydropower site. The ratio varies from region to region and depend on the reservoir’s surface area and evaporation rate, and on the produced energy of the associated hydropower plant. A better performance (lower ratios, i.e. ratios below 1) in terms of reduced water losses through evaporation per produced energy unit can be achieved at hydropower sites characterized by decreased reservoir surfaces and increased energy production. In contrast, unfavourable, higher ratios occur with water losses higher than the associated hydropower energy production rates. This map shows the location and ratio water loss / energy production (mcm/GWh) of hydropower plants in Africa for year 2016.
Related Policies and targets
Topics
Data provider
Suggested citation
Sanchez, R. G., Seliger, R., Fahl, F., Felice, L. De, Ouarda, T. B. M. J., & Farinosi, F. (2020). Freshwater use of the energy sector in Africa. Applied Energy, 270(May), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115171
Related tool or portal
Date or time period of observation
Frequency of update
Geographic coverage
Cautions
Hydropower plants with the following characteristics are considered: i) installed capacity above 5MW, ii) unambiguous identification of power plant location and iii) artificial water accumulation in reservoir associated with hydropower plant operation.
Select for mapping