The cost of building a hydropower plant can range from $1,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt installed. It can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the plant, location, technology used, and local regulatory and environmental considerations.
The total cost range of a small hydropower plant up to 10 MW is between $1,000 and $5,000 per installed kW.
The total cost range of a medium-sized hydropower plant 10MW to 100MW is between $1,500 and $5,000 per installed kW.
The total cost range of a large hydropower plant over 100MW is between $2,000 and $4,000 per installed kW.
Factors affecting the cost of hydropower plants:
- A plant located in an area where there are no dams and tunnels will generally be more expensive.
- The plant and building connecting transmission lines can be additional costs that can vary depending on site to site.
- There is such regulatory compliance as cost of permits and environmental impact studies that can add significant costs to the projects.