Transboundary hydropower in contested contexts: Energy security, capabilities, and justice in comparative perspective

Abstract

More than 70% of the dams under construction or planned in major river basins are transboundary. In this paper, based on original data and field research in three continents, we explore the impacts of transboundary dams in the major hydropower states of Laos, Paraguay, and Bhutan. We do so by looking at dimensions pertaining to energy security and technological capabilities and reflecting on the challenges faced by these countries under the lens of energy justice. The paper integrates elements from the energy security and justice frameworks with the concept of technological capabilities to study the distribution of energy benefits between partner countries and to shed light on until now unaccounted dimensions specific to transboundary energy generation and sharing in asymmetrical contexts, offering a comparative view with potential lessons for other countries. We offer conclusive insights about hydropower resource potential, scale, revenues, innovation, and policy.