Hydro power is made by flowing water that turns turbines to create power. Power production relies on water flow. Low water years can affect the power supply.
There are 2 types of hydroelectric power plants:
Reservoir stations store and manage water flow with a dam. Water flows through the dam and can be adjusted like a tap to generate the amount of power needed.
Run-of-River stations have little or no storage. The water flows through a tube and produces electricity that’s sent back to the river. The amount of power that’s produced depends on the river flow.
Dependability
Hydro is a reliable source of energy as it uses flowing water as fuel.
Cost
As a renewable energy source it’s a cost-effective way to power our province.
Emissions
With no direct waste and lower greenhouse gases, hydro has a low impact on the environment. But, special care must be made for wildlife habitats and aquatic ecosystems.
Now
Around 20% of our total power capacity in Saskatchewan comes from hydro.
Future
While new sites for hydro power exist in Saskatchewan, they’re in remote areas of the province. So, we’d need to build more costly power lines to move the power from remote areas to customers. We’ll continue to refurbish our existing hydro power plants. They can provide power for decades to come and can help back up solar and wind power when those options aren’t available.
Watch the video below to learn more about Hydro.
