Challenges of developing hydro projects individually as part of a cascade

Using the example of the Arun cascade development in Nepal, where the projects have been designed by different developers over several years, the authors demonstrate the importance of a coordinated approach when run-of-river hydro plants are built in cascade. Optimizing designs in an integrated way should be the major priority, they point out, since it offers the highest potential for synergies in operation, as well as a cost-efficient cascade development.