Dam safety and risk governance for hydroelectric power plants in the Amazon

The construction and operation of hydroelectric power plants threatens the safety of downstream communities, most often owing to structural failures and equipment damage. Hundreds of new hydroelectric reservoirs have been proposed for the Amazon region, which could have serious socio-environmental impacts on indigenous and riverside communities. The objective of this study is to contribute to the discussion on dam safety in hydroelectric power plants, focusing on risk governance, and specifically the configuration of social involvement in participatory decision-making. Data were selected from three main groups: technical documents (reports and manuals), legal-normative documents (legislation and normative resolution), and scientific manuscripts, using the methodological technique of discourse analysis. The study has two primary focuses: (1) a theoretical conceptual framework that guides discussions on the risks associated with dams; and (2) the challenges associated with the risk governance of hydroelectric power plants in the Amazon. For hydroelectric power plants in the Amazon, particularly with regard to risk, there is limited space for dialog between dam developers and social groups. This generates risk governance deficits, limiting the participation of social actors in discussions on dam safety. It is important to ensure the involvement of society in the evaluation, mitigation, and communication of risks related to dam safety.