Alum José Serra collaborates with CSF on economic study of proposed Inambari dam

Alum José Serra collaborates with CSF on economic study of proposed Inambari dam

On January 17, CSF course graduate José Serra and CSF's Alfonso Malky presented an economic study of the proposed Inambari dam, designed to generate hydropower primarily for Brazilian consumers. The study, sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society's Peru office, examines the feasibility of the project, which would harness energy from an Amazon tributary in the country's southeastern jungle. Serra led the investigation, looking into the overall economic return, environmental costs, profits for the dam builder and impacts on various sectors of Peruvian society. Results showed that the project's feasibility depends on charging a relatively high electricity price and delivering benefits, in the form of flow control, to downstream dams in Brazil. Those two conditions are unconfirmed and the project, designed mainly to supply energy to Brazil, is on hold while Peru develops a comprehensive energy strategy. The CSF-WCS study will provide key information to decison makers as they compare Inambari to other energy options.

Image credit: Sebastian Suito