Report

The following is a brief review of some sections of the draft feasibility study (FS), focusing primarily on the Epupa Main Technical Report (Part B2). The Baynes Technical Report is a simple copy of the Epupa report, with only key words and appropriate sentences being replaced. Hence the focus below will be on the Epupa option. Unfortunately, the study cannot be reviewed properly as the crucial figures and appendices (for example to Chapters 23 and 24) are missing. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - The Feasibility Study does a poor job of weighing the consequences of the reservoir’s high rates of e

A new report examines the World Bank's high-risk strategy, and considers past experience with the Bank's high-risk projects in the water, forest and mining sectors.

The author reviewed all sections relating to the project’s economic viability, except for the detailed appendix chapters, which were not available to the public outside of Namibia. The author’s comments are his own, and do not reflect the opinion of the institutions with which he is associated. SUMMARY The draft feasibility study examines the costs and benefits of the Epupa dam hydropower project. It reaches the conclusion that the expected benefits exceed the expected costs and that the dam is economically viable. It qualifies this conclusion by noting that certain environmental and

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS The following comments are based on the draft feasibility report, which was made available by Burmeister Partners, Namibia. The feasibility report examines the two options for the dam, reservoir and hydroelectric power plant: the Epupa and Baynes sites. My comments are limited to the aquatic ecological aspects of the project, and more specifically to effects on the riverine biota and habitat, water quality and quantity. The main concerns can be summarised as follows: Flow regulation The regulation of flow in the Cunene River, downstream of the Epupa and Baynes

Summary Contrary to assertions in the Feasibility Study, the Epupa hydropower scheme is not the "least cost" power alternative for Namibia. The cost of electricity produced by a combined-cycle gas-fired power plant would be 40% less than Epupa electricity. The consultant inappropriately uses assumptions in the analysis that underestimate the viability of alternative energy sources. Some assumptions are unnecessarily pessimistic, while in other cases the consultant ignored or misapplied relevant information from other continents. For example, using conventional assumptions about Sol

An official submissions to the Namibian government on behalf of the Traditional Leadership of the Kunene Region, in relation to the proposed construction of a hydropower scheme on the Lower Kunene River. 1. INTRODUCTION The Traditional Leadership of the Kunene Region and members of the communities they represent ("the community") view the proposed construction of a Hydropower Scheme on the lower Cunene River at either the Epupa Falls site or the Baines site with grave concern. Generally the community recognises the important role of the Government of the Republic of Namibia in de

This speech, by Steve Rothert of International Rivers and in cooperation with Earthlife Namibia, explains a number of concerns about the project. Windhoek, Namibia. Thank you Mr. Chairman, honourable Ministers, Members of Parliament, Honoured Chiefs, distinguished guests. My name is Steve Rothert and I work for International Rivers. International Rivers is a United States based organisation that works at the invitation of existing organisations and communities on river management issues, often large dams. International Rivers’s mission is to promote the sustainable management and protec

This report, prepared for the "UN Hydropower and Sustainable Development Symposium" in Beijing, China on October 27–29, 2004, examines the role of large hydro in sustainable development and suggests principles to ensure cost–effective, environmentally sustainable and socially equitable development of the world’s energy resources.From the report: One of the greatest global challenges facing the 21st century is how to improve the livelihoods of the two billion people who currently have inadequate or no access to modern energy services, while simultaneously reducing the energ

The World Bank is poised to resume lending for destructive large dams in India. Bank staff are currently scouring India for new dam projects to fund in the coming year. The last time the Bank supported a dam in India – the Sardar Sarovar project in the Narmada Valley – strong opposition and an independent review documenting numerous policy violations led to an embarrassing withdrawal of Bank support and the establishment of the Inspection Panel. On its 60th anniversary, the World Bank seems to be suffering from a case of institutional amnesia. The World Bank’s legacy of suppo