Explore the pros and cons of hydroelectric power on our website. Understand its benefits and drawbacks to make informed energy choices for a sustainable future.

 The pros and cons of hydropower plants are described below:

 Benefits:

1. The operating cost of a hydropower plant is much lower than a thermal power plant.

2. A lower load factor of a thermal power plant increases the production cost per unit of electricity. On the other hand, the load factor has no significant effect on the production cost of hydropower plants.

3. Thermal power plants have a lifespan of 20-25 years but hydropower plants have a lifespan of 100-125 years.  That is, this plant is relatively long-lasting.

4. The maintenance cost of a hydropower plant is only one-fifth of that of a thermal power plant.

5. as it does not require any fuel, there is no need to purchase and transport fuel like thermal power.

6. It does not because air pollution as it does not require ash transfer or fly ash extraction.

7. Water power plant machines last longer as they have low rotational speed and are free from the effects of heat and pressure.

8. Generally, the land cost is negligible as such power plants are set up in hilly streams.

9. Compared to steam power plants it can meet variable load demand very easily.

10. Hydropower plants do not lose efficiency over time as steam power plants do.

11. It has no stand-by loss like a thermal power plant.

12. It has fewer auxiliary components than steam power plants.

13. Overall the cost per unit of electricity produced in hydropower plants is very low.

Disadvantages:

1. Installation cost of hydro power plant is higher than steam power plant.

2. Its power generation is dependent on the availability of water.  Therefore, when rainfall is low, power generation is reduced, and may even cease.

3. Hydroelectric power stations are established where sufficient head of water is available.  Hence the plant is located far from the load center and the transmission cost is high.

4. It takes a lot of time to set up this plant.

5. Vast areas are required to collect water and many houses are submerged under water.

Comparison between hydro and steam plant:

1. The initial installation cost of the steam power plant is high but the installation cost of a hydropower plant is higher.

2. Steam power plants require more space.  While hydroelectric power plants require relatively less space, reservoirs and catchment areas require large areas.

3. Steam power plants require 3-5 years for installation and commissioning whereas hydro power plants take 10-15 years for installation and commissioning.

4. The operating cost of a steam power plant is high whereas a hydropower plant has zero operating cost.

5. At full load the efficiency of the steam power plant is 45% but at part load, the efficiency of the thermal power plant is much less.  On the other hand, the efficiency of a hydropower plant is 90% at full load and the efficiency is about the same at the partial load of more than 20%.

6. A hydropower plant can have a life span of hundreds of years whereas a steam power plant has a life span of only a few decades.

7. Hydropower plant has no stand-by loss, which is the case for steam power plants has

8. The efficiency of steam power plants decreases very quickly with use.  However, the efficiency of hydropower plants does not decrease rapidly.

9. Hydropower plants offer additional benefits.  For example, recreation, fisheries, irrigation, and flood control.  However, similar facilities are not available with steam power plants.  10.  Steam power plants can be driven by stored water in hydropower plants.  11.  Ash and flue gas from steam power plants pollute the environment but hydropower plants do not.

12. Steam power plants can be used as baseload plants – and not at peak load – but hydropower plants can be used as baseload and peak load plants, although it is preferable to use them as peak load plants.