Advantages And Disadvantages Of Hydroelectric Energy
Let’s go further to see what are hydropower’s advantages and disadvantages. First, we will see the advantages of hydroelectric energy and then after disadvantages of hydropower.
Advantages Of Hydroelectricity
1. Hydroelectricity is generated from flowing water hence it does not produce greenhouse gases. So, hydropower is a clean energy source that is environment-friendly.
2.The average hydroelectricity cost is very much low compared to the cost of electricity generated by a thermal power plant.
3.Hydropower plant doesn’t use fossil fuel. So, the non-renewable energy resources can be used for some more decades.
4.The production of hydroelectricity can increase or decrease as per demand. During pick demand, the generation of power can be increased and during less demand, it will decrease.
5.A hydro dam will increase the underneath water level of the surrounding area. Hence chances of more water being available through a bore well or tube well for agriculture purposes.
6.Impoundment hydropower creates reservoirs that offer a variety of recreational opportunities, notably fishing, swimming, and boating.
7.Water is available in all countries so no country should depend on other countries, as happens in the generation of nuclear power.
8.The hydroelectric power plant doesn’t produce any radioactive waste like nuclear power plants. Hence hydro plant does not pollute the soil.
Disadvantages Of Hydroelectric Energy
1.While preparing a reservoir by constructing a dam, many people have to relocate from their land. Hence they lose their homes, farms, and businesses. Shifting creates many social and physiological problems.
2.Dams are built blocking the flowing of water from one country to another or from one state to another. So, the water supply from the same river in the following country is out of their control. This can lead to serious problems between neighboring countries or states.
3.The building of large dams can cause serious geological damage. For example possibility of earthquakes has depressed the earth’s surface at its location.
4.The flooding of large areas of land means that the natural environment is destroyed.
5.Dams are extremely expensive to build.
6.Hydroelectricity generation and prices are directly related to how much water is available. A drought could potentially affect the generation of electricity.