Climatic impact on hydroelectricity

Climate change attributed to the vulnerable hydropower facilities and reservoir including increased in
evaporation which reduce the generation of electricity for all types of dams mainly for the reservoirs.
As the rate of evaporation is directly related to the surface of body water, in depends on the geometry
of the reservoirs. A retrofitting reservoir have a smaller surface area with high depth which could
reduce the evaporation rate compared to reservoirs that have bigger surface area are susceptible to
high evaporations.

Flooding has the potential to generate hydropower by the increased in river flows where dam is used
to control the flood pulse of a river and function as buffer downstream areas from dangerous impact.
This works if the excess river flow level remains within the dam’s reservoir capacity. However, extreme
cases such as heavy rainfall and flood can cause destruction to dams. To determine the extent of
flooding is beneficial depends on the dam’s reservoir size.

Draughts also present as the most obvious threat that reduce that amount of water available to
generate electricity. A study by the Pacific Institute NGO concluded the adverse impacts on drought
including farmers, industry, all water users etc. Reduction in hydropower electricity and use of
additional natural gas adding addition fossil fuel combustion that give rise to carbon dioxide emissions.

Hydroelectricity in Malaysia

Malaysia can be considered as fortunate with abundance of rainfall throughout the year which enable
this country to supply water for hydropower generation. Generally, dams and reservoirs are
constructed to store flood-waters and used for multipurpose functions such as drinking water,
agriculture irrigation, hydro power generation, flood control, recreation etc. (Braga et al. 1998;
Varghese 2001; Vyas 2001). A strategy on hydropower utilisation has been conducted as one way to
reduce greenhouse gasses and global warming in Malaysia as the country is still relying on gas and
coal as major source for power generation.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is of the major power plant company in Malaysia that operates three
hydroelectric schemers in the peninsular Malaysia. Which are the Sungai Perak, Terengganu and
Cameron Highlands with installed generation capacity of 1,911 megawatts. In 2014, the generating
capacity has reach to 8,636 MW which contributed to 40.7 % of total

Recent climate change show a significant impact on the production of hydropower in Malaysia
especially on water management. Water has been the constant threat from climate change. Water
management was the major problem faced by TNB during a flood in 2014 where Kenyir Dam contained
one of the biggest flood successfully. Since then, an agreement is formed to utilize the renewable
energy technologies and resources to cope with the vulnerability of climate change and extreme
hydrological disasters such as droughts and floods.

Figure 1-Bakun Dam in Sarawak

k (source: https://www.google.com/search?q=hydropower+plant+in+malaysia+images)

Several studies have been done to observe climate change in Malaysia although it is difficult to predict
the supply and demand on energy since climate change is not the only factor that attributed to the
energy security but several factors including economic growth, land use, population growth,
technologies changes etc. A research to study the relation between climate change and energy
security was conducted and the results shows that drought would affect the hydropower operation
due to limited water inflows and the effect of heavy rainfall during monsoon seasons that can lead to
extreme flood releases. Higher maintenance and replacement cost for distribution assets is needed
due to damages caused by extreme climate change events such as major floods in Kelantan in 2014
and in Johor 2006/2007.
 Figure 2 : Kenyir Dam

( source: https://www.google.com/search?q=hydropower+plant+in+malaysia+images)

Dam flooding

A major problem occurred in Malaysia is during the monsoon or flood season which starts from
November to March with approximately 600 mm of rainfall especially to east coast states (Kelantan,
Terengganu, Pahang and East Johor) in peninsular and western Sarawak. This problem of heavy rainfall
might lead to dam flooding or a spill when the reservoir level reaches its maximum. This also worsen
the flood conditions and causes destructive floods downstream of the dam as happened to Ahning
Dam in Kedah and Timah Tasoh Dam in Perlis.

A new-type problem occurred which is referred as prolonged flooding where a stagnant water of zero
velocity of water that associated with environmental problems. Problems such as foul odours,
mosquitoes, growth of water hyacinth, accumulation of municipal sewage etc. are threatening to
public health.