What is the average cost of operating and maintaining a hydroelectric project?
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), based on 1996 data, the operation and maintenance of hydropower was 0.7 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity. The Department of Energy site with this information can be found via our Hydro Links page. These average costs are generally significantly lower than other major sources of electric generation because hydropower does not rely on a fuel source that costs money to import. In addition, the use of gravity to turn turbines is an important factor in allowing the mechanics of operating a project to be very efficient.
