Changements climatiques et production hydroélectrique canadienne: Où en sommes-nous?

Abstract

The current state of knowledge regarding anticipated hydrological impacts of climate change on Canadian basins indicates that those impacts will be non-negligible. Hydroelectricity companies will have to adapt to anticipated changes. Most case studies presented in the recent literature indicate a shift toward earlier spring melt and an increase of liquid precipitation during winter. The magnitude of the changes to the hydrologic cycle varies from one province and one territory to another and between different catchments. Hydropower, which is one of the most important energy sources across the country, is dependent on the hydrological cycle. Consequently, hydropower producers must already develop adaptation strategies to face future changes in the hydrological cycle. However, the development of management strategies for hydropower production depends strongly on the individual characteristics of each watershed. Therefore, it is mostly done on a case-by-case basis. This is a lengthy process, but promising studies concerning the adoption of adaptive management practices indicate that in many cases it would allow hydropower producers to maintain their current level of production or even increase it. In the future, multi-criteria analysis of different adaptation strategies for hydropower production should gain importance. This will allow for the integration of political, social and environmental aspects as well as economic considerations in the balance. © 2013 Canadian Water Resources Association.