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Ecological restoration in the Yellow River Basin enhances hydropower potential

Author

Listed:
  • Xutong Wu

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Zihan Yan

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Haiyan Yang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Shuai Wang

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Haoyu Zhang

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Yilin Shen

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Shuang Song

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Yanxu Liu

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Ying Guo

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Dawen Yang

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Bojie Fu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Hydropower, an important renewable energy source worldwide, is threatened by reservoir sedimentation. Ecological restoration (ER) can mitigate this by reducing upstream sediment, thereby extending hydropower facilities’ lifespan. However, ER may also reduce runoff, potentially diminishing energy generation and complicating its overall impact on hydropower potential. Here, we examine China’s Yellow River, once the world’s most sediment-laden river, using eco-hydrological and reservoir regulation models to assess how large-scale ER influences the hydropower potential of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir, which controls 92.3% of the basin area. Our results indicate that, excluding upstream reservoirs’ operations and socioeconomic water use, Xiaolangdi could generate a total of ~2.7×1011 kWh of energy before facing diminished flexibility and efficiency caused by the exhaustion of sediment storage—57.3% more than without ER—equating to an additional ~100 billion kWh. This enhancement in hydropower potential primarily arises from the extended lifespan, despite a 6.9% reduction in average annual energy generation. These findings advance our understanding of the ecosystem-water-sediment-energy nexus, offering valuable insights for integrated watershed management globally.

Suggested Citation

  • Xutong Wu & Zihan Yan & Haiyan Yang & Shuai Wang & Haoyu Zhang & Yilin Shen & Shuang Song & Yanxu Liu & Ying Guo & Dawen Yang & Bojie Fu, 2025. "Ecological restoration in the Yellow River Basin enhances hydropower potential," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57891-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57891-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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