Health and environmental impacts of electricity production from hydroelectric power plants

The development and operation of hydro power structures, although free from conventional polluting residuals, have some particular negative effects on the environment. These impacts affect the local physical environment of the river, causing short- and long-term alterations. Among the burdens associated with the hydro fuel cycle, the flooding of lands due to the filling of the reservoirs creates significant environmental and social impacts. Potential relocation of settlements, loss of agricultural land, alterations of vegetation and biodiversity are some of them. Due to the labor intensity of the major processes involved in hydraulic energy exploitation, the hydro fuel cycle is also characterized by a relatively high accidental risk. Health and environmental impacts and the associated damages of the hydroelectric fuel cycle are assessed in this paper. To this purpose a hydroelectric power project of 420 MW located along Nestos River in northern Greece has been selected as reference. The results of the analysis indicate that the major contributors to the damage cost of the hydroelectric power plant are impacts on fauna and flora, fatal occupational accidents, and impacts on agriculture.