Author(s)

R. MORIMOTO

Abstract

This paper empirically applies cost–benefit analysis (CBA) to much debated hydropower projects in Malaysia, Nepal and Turkey. The study selects an interesting mixture of cases, as the main characteristics of each dam, the geographical locations of each dam, and the development stage of each country differ. The study brings together all the major issues attached to each hydropower project and estimates the quantitative impacts of these controversial dams. The CBA model in this study takes into account the premature decommissioning of dams and the correlation between the parameters of generation capacity, total construction cost, and construction period. The mean cumulative net present value (NPV) at the 100th year of the analysis with the 5% discount rate for the Sharada-Babai Dam in Nepal shows a positive figure, whereas the mean cumulative NPV after 100 years for both the Bakun Dam in Malaysia and the Ilisu Dam in Turkey are negative. The mean cumulative NPV for Sharada-Babai becomes negative when the pure rate of time preference is larger than 6%; for Bakun and Ilisu, it converges to zero as the pure rate of time preference becomes larger. The sensitivity analysis shows the dominant positive impact of the generation capacity parameter on NPV for Bakun, and the parameter expressing initial expected increase in economic output for Sharada-Babai and lisu.

Keywords

Bakun Dam, cost–benefit analysis, hydropower development, Ilisu Dam, net present value, sensitivity analysis, Sharada-Babai Dam.