How does hydro energy compare in cost to other electricity sources?
On average, it is less expensive to produce than wind or biomass, significantly less expensive than photovoltaic or concentrating solar or natural gas, and similar in cost to coal. The actual production cost of hydro is dependent upon costs for equipment, construction, development, operation, maintenance and insurance. From a consumer perspective, when Crown Hydro starts producing energy and it goes onto the grid, we wont be able to purchase it separately from other sources of electricity. Costs of burning fossil fuels do not take into account the external costs to the environment and human health. Societal and political awareness of these costs is prompting a movement toward a carbon tax, which will completely change the cost structure.
