% of population with access to electricity (2016)
Despite the remoteness and high construction costs in mountain areas, there is increasing infrastructural development. This includes buildings, roads, rail networks, water pipelines, electrical grids, communication systems and other infrastructure needed for society to function. Mountains also host industry, including extractive industries (mining) as well as renewable energy (mostly hydropower, but also wind and solar). Hydropower has significant potential in mountain regions due to the general abundance of water from rivers and glacier meltwater and large altitudinal differences. However, the sector is also vulnerable to changes in precipitation, the provision of water from ecosystems, evaporation, glacial melting, river flow and extreme events. In general, all mountain regions have the potential to further develop their hydropower resources.
Year: 2018
From collection: Mountain Adaptation Outlook Series – Synthesis Report Graphics
Cartographer: This