Idaho National Laboratory - Hydropower Facts
Prof. Robert B.
Laughlin
Department of Physics
Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
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
