Environmental impacts generated by small hydropower plants (SHPs) in Colombia

Abstract

This research article identified the environmental impacts generated by the construction of small hydroelectric power plants (SHPs) in the Colombian territory. For this purpose, the classification made by Colombian regulations was adopted, which distinguishes between socioeconomic, biotic and abiotic (physical) impacts. For their identification, the technique of analysis of documentary sources was used, mainly on environmental impact studies and, to a lesser extent, environmental licenses. Consequently, twenty-four (24) small hydroelectric power plants throughout the country were analyzed and eighty-six (86) environmental impacts, positive and negative, were established. Likewise, the frequency of impacts was measured, highlighting that the following impacts, with a negative connotation, reached a frequency of occurrence higher than 90% of the cases addressed: decrease in river water quality, decrease in river flow downstream of the reservoir, and decrease in vegetation cover.