Like any activity, hydroelectric power generation has both advantages and disadvantages. For a long time, it was perceived as a very attractive option, but as the industry has matured and more of the potential of hydroelectricity has been exploited, some of its shortcomings have been noticed. There are many pros concerning hydroelectric power. It has high efficiency because it does not need heat to spin the turbines so no heat is given off. Hydro has a long life and is renewable because water is the resource used to produce electricity and water is a fuel that can never be depleted.
Hydroelectric power requires low maintenance.
After construction, maintenance only requires mainly supervisional staff. It also provides flood control. The dam can control the rate of water flowage downstream Low operating costs, low environmental impact and increased tourism and recreational activities are other pros for hydroelectricity. Once a dam is built, the only major costs are for maintenance and labor. There is no radiation or pollution produced which accounts for the low environmental impact.