Impact of climate change on future availability of water for irrigation and hydropower generation in the Omo-Gibe Basin of Ethiopia

Future water availability for irrigation and hydropower generation in Ethiopia's Omo-Gibe Basin is projected to decline significantly due to climate change, with potential reductions of 15.5–25.4% for irrigation and 10.5–20.2% for hydroelectricity under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios. The study predicts temperature increases of 2.10–3.6°C (RCP 4.5) and 2.7–4.8°C (RCP 8.5), alongside precipitation declines of 10.7–13.6% (RCP 4.5) and 11.1–13.8% (RCP 8.5). Water scarcity may worsen by 7.9–30.6%, driven by rising demand and climate impacts. Researchers used coupled SWAT and WEAP hydrological models to forecast these changes, emphasizing the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies to secure water resources in this critical UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Orkodjo, T. P., Kranjac-Berisavijevic, G., & Abagale, F. K. (2022). Impact of climate change on future availability of water for irrigation and hydropower generation in the Omo-Gibe Basin of Ethiopia. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 44, 101254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101254