The benefits of sustainable hydro-power projects are equitably distributed between the government, the project proponents and stakeholders who receive the electricity services and the local communities who bear the impacts of a development.
Adequate planning and commitment from the developer is required to ensure that local communities share in the social and economic benefits of hydro developments without disproportionately bearing social and environmental costs. Negative impacts can be significant if benefit sharing is not appropriately planned and implemented, and where the directly impacted do not have the knowledge and support that they need. Positive benefits of hydropower developments can be maximised where new and improved social and economic opportunities are created.
