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In our previous post we introduced Hydroelectric power generation and covered some of its advantages. Today, we’re looking at some of the downsides of this clean energy

The primary disadvantage of hydroelectric power is the capital expenditure involved in constructing the massive structures and equipment required, often in remote areas with difficult terrain and poor road access.

Additionally, although generally considered to be a “clean” source of electricity, there are nonetheless environmental consequences. The dams and generators can pose a hazard to aquatic life, and spillways and the discharge flow can erode the natural riverbed. Perhaps the most significant environmental impact, however, is the vast tracts of land that are flooded to accommodate reservoirs. The Smallwood Reservoir, for example, at 6,527 sq. km (2,520 sq. mi), is the largest body of water in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. And the immense weight of the Lake Kariba reservoir along the Zimbabwe/Zambia border is potentially the cause of increased seismic activity in the area since its construction.

Considerable reductions in the cost of wind power generation in recent years have increased its adoption dramatically. Nonetheless, the existing installed capacity of hydroelectricity still dominates other renewables, and its ability to adjust generation to demand ensures that it will continue to have a prominent place in the energy market for the foreseeable future.