Drought-Induced Shift from Hydropower to Combustion Power Plants in Latin America and the Caribbean

ongoing research and analysis

This project studies the impact of hydrological droughts on air quality and public health by quantifying how droughts reduce hydropower generation capacity, leading to increased reliance on combustion power plants in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study uses a 20-year monthly plant-level panel to link drought conditions to increased PM2.5 concentrations near combustion power plants, resulting in significant premature deaths and economic losses. Projections indicate that without targeted interventions, these health burdens will persist or worsen through 2059.