Idaho National Laboratory - Hydropower Facts

Prof. Robert B. Laughlin
Department of Physics
Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305

http://hydropower.inel.gov/hydrofacts/plant_costs.shtml
(Copied 15 Aug 09)

NOTE: The 2007 figures from the U.S. Energy Information Agency show hydropower maintenance costs roughly twice those shown here, and maintenance costs for gas turbines roughly half of those shown here. - RBL


Hydropower Plant Costs and Production Expenses

Idaho National Laboratory
July 18, 2005

U.S. Technology

Capital cost $/kW: $1700-2300/kW: cap.
Operation cost/kWh: 4.05 mills (0.4¢)
Maintenance cost/kWh: 2.62 mills(0.3¢)
Total cost/kWh: 23.57 mills (2.4¢)
Operating life: 50+ years
Capacity factor: 40-50%
Average size: 31 MW

Last Updated: Monday, July 18, 2005