Hydropower production and climate change: main findings and proposals for decision-making in Peru

Abstract

This policy brief analyzes the role of the hydropower regulation of Lake Sibinacocha in the streamflow of the Vilcanota-Urubamba River. To this end, a review was conducted of different articles related to the ecosystem service provided by the glacial runoff, with an emphasis on the availability of that resource due to the impact of climate change and/or hydropower regulation on the hydrological regime of the Vilcanota-Urubamba River. We concluded that there is a need for strengthening the data collection of the hydro-meteorological network installed at the national level, as well as for the development of research to evaluate the impacts associated with changes in the regime in regulated basins, and the identification of strategies for the development of physical infrastructure to guarantee water regulation and its hydro-energetic use.