Hydropower Development in Three South American Countries: Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador

Abstract

The present manuscript aims to identify the advantages and consequences of hydropower development, showing a view of trends finding the status and situation in Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador. This study uses a non-experimental methodology based on a comprehensive literature review of relevant papers retrieved from 41 selected papers that are summarized covering different application areas in these selected countries. In addition, the non-experimental methodology is guided by a perspective design sequential with a qualitative phase defining two indicators that do a relation between the people and the installed capacity in megawatts (MW) and energy production in gigawatts hour (GWh). The results show Colombia has the main installed capacity and energy generation per capita, followed by Ecuador, and finally, Brazil. According to the models and studies, the general hydropower potential of Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador decreases as time goes on because this renewable energy affects the water quality, interacting deeply with the surrounding environment. However, in South American countries only 34% of hydropower potential has developed.