How much does it cost to build a hydroelectric power plant?

Question

How much does it cost to build a hydroelectric power plant?

Answer 1

Billion and billions of dollars, if you can actually find a place to put one.  So far, all the prime locations are already taken.  There are also the environmental aspects to consider.  Typically the dam you must build basically kills the down stream wildlife in the river.  Also the reservoir you create floods and displaces wild life for many square miles upstream of the dam.  Also, the river may no longer be used as a shipping channel with out the construction of a series of locks which allow a vessel to traverse the difference in elevation you create on either side of the d**n.  Locks are extremely expensive and complicated to build.  Also, any cities and towns down stream of the dam will lose their water supply unless new aquifers are constructed as well.  They are also expensive and complicated to build.  You get the idea.

Now if you have a small stream or other body of water running through your back yard that you would like to harness as a way of getting "off of the grid," don't even bother.  You will most likely be building something yourself as the hardware is not readily available.  Even if you can find some, there just isn't a whole lot of energy there to be captured.  Your best bet is to use a more established and available method such as solar panels.  You can also try a geothermal heat pump if you have enough room.

Answer 2

I dont think so it costs billions of dollars. If that the country would have been a bankrupt.

Approximately it takes 5 to 20 years for building a generating station of 500 to 1k mega watt power for a cost around project of 2500 crores Rs, i mean to say that in INDIA.