Investments in hydropower from a political ecology perspective. Case study: Hidro Santa Cruz

Abstract

This thesis intends to explore and analyse the discrepancies that exist between the accepted global narratives that promote investing in hydropower projects with the argument that it will bring development, economic growth and access to clean and affordable energy in developing countries, and the demands of the local communities where the hydropower projects are being built. By using a political ecology approach, the thesis aims to analyse the existing narratives and power relations in hydropower development. The study is focused particularly in the case of Hidro Santa Cruz, a 5MW hydroelectric project in the highlands of Guatemala, rejected by the nearby communities but carried out by private companies with investments from the Norwegian Investment Fund for Development (Norfund).