Impact of Climate Change on the Streamflow in the Region of the Proposed Pwalugu Hydropower Plant

Authors

  • Emmanuel Kekle Ahialey

    Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani 03520, Ghana

    Department of Energy Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani 03520, Ghana
  • Amos T. Kabo-bah

    Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani 03520, Ghana

    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani 03520, Ghana
  • Samuel Gyamfi

    Regional Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (RCEES), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani 03520, Ghana

    Department of Energy Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Sunyani 03520, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jasr.v8i4.11904
Received: 18 July 2025 | Revised:5 September 2025 | Accepted:12 September 2025 | Published Online: 20 September 2025

Abstract

Climate change has increased the frequency of extreme precipitation and temperature events, significantly affecting the environment. This study examines the impact of climate change on streamflow in the region allocated for the Pwalugu Hydropower Plant. This study employed SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5 across three temporal frameworks: the near future (2015–2043), the mid future (2044–2072), and the far future (2073–2100) with a reference period (1984–2014). A comparative analysis of three distinct machine learning models—ANN, LSTM, as well as SVM—was performed using statistical metrics including NSE, PBias, as well as R². The forecast of climate change indicates an increase in both frequency as well as intensity in the coming decades, potentially presenting a persistent threat to the advancement of hydropower as precipitation levels and patterns become increasingly erratic. Equally, the projections anticipated a decrease in streamflow under SSP2-4.5 for all three periods. Compared to the streamflow under the SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5. It is noticed that SSP5-8.5 has the highest projections, especially in near and far future periods. As a result, it is advisable for decision-makers to implement measures aimed at mitigating risk and vulnerability, fortifying resilience, improving well-being, and developing the capacity to effectively anticipate and address the challenges presented by climate change in the vicinity of the proposed Pwalugu Hydropower Plant. The administration of water resources within the region would not only benefit the proposed Pwalugu Hydropower Plant but would significantly contribute to the sustainability of both agricultural and domestic endeavors.

Keywords:

Pwalugu; Hydropower; Climate Change; Floods; Streamflow Shared Socio-Economic Pathways

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How to Cite

Kekle Ahialey, E., T. Kabo-bah, A., & Gyamfi, S. (2025). Impact of Climate Change on the Streamflow in the Region of the Proposed Pwalugu Hydropower Plant. Journal of Atmospheric Science Research, 8(4), 53–65. https://doi.org/10.30564/jasr.v8i4.11904

Issue

Vol. 8 , Iss. 4 (October 2025)

Article Type

ARTICLE

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Copyright © 2025 Emmanuel Kekle Ahialey, Amos T. Kabo-bah, Samuel Gyamfi

Creative Commons License

This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.

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