Abstract
Stakeholders of the small-scale (<50 MW generation capacity) hydropower sector in Uganda recognise the importance of sustainable development of the resources that have social and ecological importance. Uganda is experiencing a boom in hydropower projects resulting in over generation of electricity and its exportation to neighbouring nations. Limited policies are currently available in Uganda to direct the sustainable development of this sector. Environmental flows (e-flows) practices established for the Nile Basin region and international good e-flows practices can contribute to sustainable management of hydropower developments in Uganda. The paper defines and explains e-flows, identifies water resource attributes of importance for e-flows determination associated with hydropower and threat associated with this activity in Uganda, and provides good e-flows determination and management practices based on regional and international information. The determination and management of e-flows in the hydropower sector in Uganda is largely dependent on the availability of and quality of hydrology, hydraulic and flow-ecosystem and flow-ecosystem service relationship information. This review of good-practice e-flows practice for the small hydropower sector in Uganda provides guidance to support multiple stakeholders of water resources in Uganda for a better future for all of its vulnerable communities and the environments they depend on.
Highlights
Hydropower is the primary source of electricity generation in Uganda
This paper aims to review and recommend e-flows determination and management practices applicable to the small-scale hydropower sector in Uganda and the sustainable management of water resources in Uganda across multiple spatial scales
Environmental flows management concepts have developed from the 1990s into an international good practice that contributes to sustainable water resource developments
Summary
Hydropower is the primary source of electricity generation in Uganda. It accounts for 78% of the total installed capacity of 1182.2 MW, generating 3330 GWh of electricity (ERA, 2019). Environmental flows form an essential part of the indicator method for the Sustainable Development Goal SDG 6.4.2 indicator of the degree of “water stress” being exerted on a water resource (Vanham et al, 2018; Dickens et al, 2019), and should be on the agenda of all water-resource managers It was only after the 1990s that the effects of altered flows in the environment began to be considered in a dedicated manner (Pahl-Wostl et al, 2013; Horne et al, 2017) This transpired after extensive dam construction in particular led to large scale obstruction of free-flowing rivers and a noticeable loss of ecosystem services, including fish stock in particular and natural habitats and biodiversity (Poff and Matthews, 2013). The paper defines and explains e-flows, identifies water resources of importance for e-flows determination associated with hydropower development in Uganda, and recommends appropriate e-flows determination and management practices based on regional information
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