Hydropower is a renewable energy source that uses the energy of moving water to generate electricity. Hydropower is utilised for a variety of reasons, including energy generation and irrigation. People began to harness the force of moving water very early, mostly for irrigation, and irrigation has been used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia since the 6th millennium BC, according to current statistics.
The modern use of hydropower usually relates to hydroelectricity, and we’re talking about the renewable energy source that meets around 20% of the world’s electricity consumption.
One of the most important reasons why there are so many hydroelectric power plants throughout the world now is because of its long history, but there are other essential factors as well. First and foremost, unlike fossil fuels, hydroelectric power plants do not emit greenhouse gases and are therefore considered environmentally neutral.
Second, hydroelectric power plants have costs equivalent to fossil fuels, indicating that they are economically viable, and their costs are completely unaffected by increases in fossil fuel prices because they do not require fossil fuels to create electricity. They also have a long lifespan of roughly 100 years and low maintenance expenses due to the fact that most plants are automated.
The only significant disadvantage is that large dams have high startup costs, but hydropower isn’t just about massive projects; in recent years, micro hydro systems have gained in popularity.
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why hydropower is such a popular energy source around the world.
