Can hydro power bring jobs to Quebec?
Jean Charest the liberal leader in Quebec wants to bring more high skill jobs to his province and one of the ways in which he has envisioned doing this is by equaling Alberta’s success of exploiting its hydro electric power resources. Mr. Charest is looking to increase energy exports to an increasingly energy hungry Ontario and the northeastern part of the United States. However this could become problematic as the province relies on cheap electricity to keep many energy hungry industries alive and healthy.
Switzerland’s hydroelectric industry one of a growing number to be affected by lack of rainfall
Switzerland which has maintained a long tradition of energy independence is getting hit hard by lack of rain and receding glaciers. For a long period of time Switzerland has had only two sources of energy hydro and nuclear with them accounting for 60% and 38% of energy production for the nation respectively. Hydroelectricity however could go down to only 53% in the near future as rain and glacier run offs decrease. This will also have an adverse effect on nuclear power as the plants draw their cooling from river water which is also dependent on rain. Switzerland has experienced a drier climate over the last few years. The government has also recently decreed that it will look to expand nuclear power in light of increasing energy demands.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan at odds over Hydro Power Plant Plans
A hydro power station planned for construction on the Zeravshan River is causing a rift between the two nations as both depend on the river as a major water source. Tajikistan recently announced that with the help of Eximbank of China it was to build a $260 million USD hydro project. The river which runs from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan flows into a region which is heavily dependent on the river as a source of water for agriculture. Tajikistan has sought to make assurances that the flow of the river will not be impacted much. This comes at a time where Tajikistan is losing control of the Sangtuda dam project to Russian partners. The project has been marked by increase costs and has made Tajikistan have to rethink its level of involvement in the project.
