China's Belt & Road Initiative hydropower cooperation: what can be improved?

Abstract

China's international hydropower projects have been streamlined as a major focus of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). These hydropower projects have shown many positive outcomes in promoting the energy infrastructure and local economic development in BRI countries. However, insufficient attention is given to scrutinizing the limitations of Belt and Road hydropower collaboration, hindering the potential for amplifying its beneficial impacts. This study reveals the tendency and distinctiveness of China's development finance, contributing to providing a clearer picture of where and how the massive BRI hydropower cooperation is taking place and what might be the limitations. Our analysis shows that a) China's development finance for the BRI power cooperation was heavily concentrated on the hydropower sector compared to other energy alternatives, thereby creating a promising renewable energy development of BRI. b) BRI hydropower projects are dominated by large dams in specific regions, and c) the predominance of large dams and the geographic concentration should be gradually adjusted to bring BRI hydropower cooperation more social and environmental progress.