The future of hydropower? A systematic review of the drivers, benefits and governance dynamics of transboundary dams

Abstract Transboundary hydropower dams are sources of hydroelectricity supply that sit in shared international rivers or watersheds, and/or generate benefits and costs flow across national borders. Scholars have been exploring the impacts at a local, regional scale for decades, however transboundary ventures less studied. Nonetheless, advent new boom, where large proportion untapped potential lies settings, means there is need to better understand specific those contexts foster more equitable just outcomes, examine dynamics shaping future hydroelectricity. To depict state-of-the-art within this critical field research, we conduct systematic review 1264 peer-reviewed articles published on from 2009 2019. We find most studies our sample focus issues related water management allocation, whereas fewer scope benefits, their temporal spatial variation, equity justice dimensions. Moreover, minimal exploration how differences relative economic financial capabilities can impact distribution benefits. Whether lead optimal outcomes highly dependent underlying benefit sharing arrangements as well an explicit acknowledgement tackling governance asymmetries. The study concludes urgent systematically assess these conditions favour all stakeholders.