Hydro-power has now become the best source of electricity on earth. It is produced due to the energy provided by moving or falling water. History proves that the cost of this electricity remains constant over the year. Because of its many advantages, most of the countries now have hydro-power as the source of major electricity production.

Advantages of Hydro-power:

• No pollutants! The first benefit of the hydro-power is that no air or water pollutants are produced. The water used does not contaminate the air or water by producing harmful wastes. No poisonous bi-products are produced. If we compare it to the a nuclear source which produces electricity from a radioactive substance in a nuclear reactor, then we notice that no pollutants are produced from a hydro-power source as compared to the nuclear wastes and radioactive rays which are damaging the life on earth. These wastes from nuclear reactors then reach water due to the power system and this is how water pollution takes place, not only affecting humans but also aquatic life.
• Say no to greenhouse gases! No greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are produced which makes this source of energy environment-friendly. It protects us from the danger of global warming.
• Saving natural resources : Hydro-power does not use any fuel or fossil fuels. The natural balance in an ecosystem is not disturbed. The fossil fuels are non-renewable so their saving is very important to make sure that they do not deplete.
• A predictable renewable source of energy : It is a renewable resource as it can be pumped again and again and water is recycled on the earth naturally and artificially both through the water cycle. Water never actually completely depletes. It dominates other renewable resources like wind energy because it has a predictable nature. The forecast can tell us about the rainfall and we can keep ourselves prepared for water collection.
• Dams as a water reservoir :Another benefit of dams is that they not only produce electricity but dams also save and reserve water so that the water is not wasted into oceans and seas. So it is like two advantages in a single packet.
• Economical advantage : This source not only assists the environment but also the economy. As no fuel is used in the production of electricity from a dam and we also know that the prices of fossil fuels are rising very high, so this adds to a huge economical advantage for hydro-power. Other than that, no imports are needed to be made which saves money. The cost of this electricity is less than electricity produced from fossil fuels and nuclear power.
• Constant source of energy : The prices of fuels keep on increasing up and down. The cost of electricity also keeps on changing but due to rainfalls the rate of hydro-electricity remains constant somewhat and does not increase much. Hydro-power sources can lighten the country's electricity costs 24/7 for the entire year.
• Controllable source of energy : The rate of electricity produced can be changed by varying the speed of water flow. The faster it would flow, the more energy it will have to run the turbines. So ultimately turbines convert a comparably greater amount of energy.

So hydro-power is sustainable and a long-lasting source of energy. It produces a great amount of electricity. Dams can also be used for other purposes like fishing and sports. All these advantages show the importance of hydro-power electricity which gives us a solution for the problems of this boom and gloom economy.

Disadvantages of Hydro-power

The sum total of all the external conditions affects the environment and all the living beings which exist in it. If the environment is affected by some means then all the animals, plants and human beings are also affected by the stimuli which occur in their behavior and survival. This change occurs by population explosion or extinction, depletion of natural resources and pollution. So anything that affects ecosystems is indeed harmful and needs to be eradicated. Similarly, hydro-power is not the biggest source of energy on earth although it has a lower cost it also has many disadvantages.

There are many disadvantages of hydroelectric power which is the reason that it is not used on a very large scale all around the globe. Before employing something on an industrial level, you should consider its pros and cons. So the disadvantages are:

• Emission of methane and carbon dioxide : The reservoir of water for hydroelectric power releases a large amount of carbon dioxide and methane. The area around the dam is filled with water. The plants and trees in them start rotting and decompose by other methods without the use of oxygen. So this type of decomposition dumps a great amount of methane and carbon dioxide into the environment which increases pollution.
• Disturbance of habitat : The formation of a huge dam destroys the communities of families living around them. Local life is disturbed as humans can�t live in such a flooded area and plants are destroyed. People living nearby have to relocate.
• Installation costs : Although the effective cost is zero, the manufacturing and building of a dam and installation of the turbines is very costly due to which many countries do not employ this alternative source of energy. If the initial cost had been less; then it would have used more commonly. Its construction requires a lot of human capital and labor. Its maintenance is also very costly.
• Limited use : As the hydro-electric power is produced by the water which depends on the yearly rain fall so only areas with a moderate to substantial rainfall can use this method because hydro-power needs a huge reservoir of water in order to be economically viable.
• Divert natural waterway : Dams and rivers collect water for the production of electricity which alters the natural system of water flow thus depriving houses of the water they need.
• Effects on agriculture : Making dams on rivers affect the amount, quality and temperature of water that flow in streams which has drastic effects on agriculture and drinking water.
• Fish killing : The water while flowing through the dam collects nitrogen which can damage and also kills fish. They can also damage the reproduction of fish thus eliminating the whole species of fish.
• Disputes between people : Changing the river pathway and shortage of water can cause serious legal disputes between people.
• Breaking of dams : Many dams which were built for industrial use or for mills are not now used and occupying a great space but they can�t be broken or removed as it would cause serious flooding. This would not only affect the humans but also many buildings and property.
• Deposition of silt : So the research is ongoing to decrease its disadvantages and to solve the silt problems on a large scale.

So hydro-power is a sustainable and long-lasting source of energy. It produces a great amount of electricity. Dams can also be used for other purposes like fishing and sports. All these advantages show the importance of hydro-power electricity which gives us a solution for the problems of this boom and gloom economy.