"Dinosaur Dams: The Historical Origins of Chinese Hydroelectric Projects, Boston University Global Development Policy Center", 27 August 2025

Abstract

[...] Chinese-financed hydroelectric dams overseas have faced numerous social, environmental and political challenges. This paper investigates this pattern [...] revealing that many of these projects are based on studies developed in the mid-20th century by multilateral development banks (MDBs). [...] case study of Ecuador’s Coca Codo Sinclair project (1,500 MW) demonstrates a causal link between the revival of historic studies and the challenges [...] today in terms of environmental risk. Additional cases [...] provide support for this link [...]. The results highlight the need for Chinese development finance institutions (DFIs) to establish a pipeline of novel renewable energy projects that contribute more effectively to the sustainable development goals of the Green Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).