Chapter 12
Hydroelectric power
development
12.1 Introduction
Hydropower is extracted from the natural potential of usable water
resources, and about 20% of the world’s power requirement is at present
derived in this way. Any water resources development of which a
hydropower scheme may form part has environmental and social impacts,
which must be taken into consideration at the initial planning stage. Also,
legal and political implications must be carefully considered.
One of the most important factors affecting any hydropower develop-
ment is the cost of the scheme. With the rising costs and shortage of
resources, economic comparisons with various energy sources – oil, coal,
nuclear, gas and other renewable energy resources have to be made. In this,
the fact that, unlike the ‘fuel’ costs of the hydropower plant, the costs of fuel
for power generation by a conventional thermal plant rise at least with infla-
tion makes hydroelectric plants economically advantageous, particularly in
the long term.
The latest technological advancements in hydroelectric power gener-
ation permit the selection of proper designs incorporating environmental
and social requirements. Some innovations in the development of special
turbine–generator units, such as bulb and slant-axis units, also suggest con-
siderable reductions in construction costs, thus augmenting the benefits-
costing of a project. Therefore, the selection of the final design requires
the comparison of many alternative proposals from several sites, which
may incorporate expansion facilities to meet future demands. Land use is
one example of environmental considerations in hydropower develop-
ment. Over 100 kW/km^2 is exceptionally good, whereas 1 kW/km^2 is not
efficient land use (Vladut, 1977).