1 Growing Problem Could Endanger Hydropower
Hydro is headed into stormy waters, according to a new report that links deforestation to reduced power output for a proposed dam in Brazil. While Amazonian rain forests might seem miles away from your portfolio profits, there are direct impacts and sector-wide implications from these new findings. Here's what you need to know.
All dried up
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences released a report (link opens a PDF) last week turning power preconceptions upside down. Before this week, commonsense thinking proposed that if forests around a river were chopped down, more water would hit dam reservoirs, increasing capacity and maximizing electricity generation. In reality, although trees do take their fair share of groundwater out of river flow, they play a vital (and relatively larger) role in cloud and rainfall creation.
The study focuses its findings on Brazil's 11,200 MW Belo Monte Dam, currently under construction. According to the report, 40% deforestation in key forested areas could drop capacities by as much as 75% during dry months.
Dividend drought
While the second-largest hydroelectric dam in the world is collectively owned by the Brazilian government and local energy corporations, this study is hardly good news for Duke Energy's ownBrazil operations. The North Carolina-based utility owns eight hydro facilities in Brazil with a total generation capacity of 2,300 MW. In its latest earnings report, CEO Jim Rogers noted that low reservoir levels helped knock 5% off the company's adjusted EPS. Rogers assured investors that Duke "will continue to monitor the reservoir levels." Unfortunately, monitoring is all that the company is capable of.
Seasonally unstable sales
Rain forests aside, this new report is also a reminder that hydroelectric power is hardly a steady source. Belo Monte is expected to hit 85% of its 11,000 MW capacity every April, but plummets to 5% in September. According to the study, the dam's annual generation could average out to just 35% (3,850 MW) of total capacity.
NextEra Energy sold off its last hydro assets in March to "further optimize [our] generation portfolio and concentrate [our] resources." NextEra is the largest renewables energy producer in the United States, and has been adding on heavily to other alternative energies. Just last week, it announced an order for 59 of General Electric's new 1.7 MW wind turbines, the largest and most efficient turbines to date.
FirstEnergy is following NextEra's lead, and plans to sell its 1,240 MW of hydro assets by 2014. The sale will improve FirstEnergy's debt dilemma, but should also help the utility concentrate resources on more stable energy sources.
Is hydro's heyday over?
Hydroelectric power was once espoused as the cleanest, greenest renewable energy around. However, over the decades, its expected efficiency has dropped as environmentalists and economists alike shattered investors' dreams.
Investing in the energy sector is a moving target, and wise investors will keep track of the latest news to make sure that their energy investments' energy portfolios will continue to pump profits for their own portfolios.
Hydro may not hold up, but there's another clean energy source that's making a comeback. As the nation moves increasingly toward environmentally friendly energy, Exelon is perfectly positioned to capitalize on having the largest nuclear fleet in North America. This strength, combined with an increased focus on balance sheet health and its recent merger with Constellation, places Exelon and its resized dividend on a short list of the top utilities. To determine if Exelon is a good long-term fit for your portfolio, you're invited to check out The Motley Fool's premium research report on the company. Simply click here now for instant access.
The article 1 Growing Problem Could Endanger Hydropower originally appeared on Fool.com.
Motley Fool contributor Justin Loiseau owns shares of General Electric Company. You can follow him on Twitter, @TMFJLo, and on Motley Fool CAPS, @TMFJLo.The Motley Fool owns shares of General Electric Company. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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