Question

What are the disadvantages of hydroelectric energy?
disrupts habitats
flooding
lack of sites
political conflict
may produce hazardous materials
sites may stop producing energy

Answer 1

Like all power plants, hydroelectric plants are very expensive to build, and must be built to a very high standard. The high cost means that plants must operate for a long time to become profitable. The creation of dams can also create flooding of land, which means natural environment and the natural habitat of animals, and even people, may be destroyed.

The building of dams for hydroelectric power can also cause a lot of water access problems. The creation of a dam in one location may mean that those down river no longer have control of water flow. This can create controversy in places where neighboring countries share a water supply.