Project Management: Achieving Competitive Advantage, Fifth Edition

CASE STUDY 8.1 The Hidden Costs of Infrastructure Projects—The Case of Building Dams

In recent years there has been a surge in the construction of large dams in both developing and developed ­countries including Brazil, Ethiopia, Pakistan, and China. There are several reasons for this increased interest in dam building. Demand for electricity is expected to double worldwide between 2010 and 2035. Thus, hydroelectric power is seen as a cheap, available option for countries with river systems that allow for dams, particularly as it is a preferred option to dirtier coal-burning plants. Other arguments in favor of building these dams include their use for flood control, crop irrigation, inland transportation, urban water supplies, and as a job creators. ...