Trade-off and synergy analysis between hydropower generation and irrigation development in the Abbay River Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Study region: Abbay River Basin, Ethiopia: Study Focus: This research focused on evaluating the trade-off and synergy between hydropower and irrigation under various development scenarios. The hydro-economic analysis was undertaken to provide insight regarding the benefits received from hydropower and irrigation development scenarios. New hydrological insights for the region: The research demonstrated the holistic development of water resources for both energy generation and irrigation purposes, thereby maximizing economic benefits while ensuring sustainable water resource management. HEC-ResSim model was found to be adequate for evaluating the power generating capacity of multiple hydropower cascade systems under various irrigation water diversion scenarios. The findings revealed that by focusing solely on hydropower projects without incorporating irrigation development, Abbay river basin would generate up to 38 TWh of annual energy from GERD, Karadobi, Bekoabo and Mandaya cascades, with GERD accounting for 39% of the total output. Under full integration of irrigation development with four hydropower cascades, annual system energy generation was reduced by 12%. Despite the trade-off, the hydro-economic analysis revealed that the combined benefit from hydropower and irrigation surpass the benefits derived exclusively from hydropower only. Under full irrigation development the combined benefit exceeded the benefit obtained solely from four cascade hydropower without irrigation by 94%. The result revealed that simultaneous development of hydropower and irrigation is advisable, rather than prioritizing hydropower projects exclusively over Abbay river basin.

Keywords

• Hydropower
• Irrigation
• Trade-Off, Hydro-economic