Hydropower has specific characteristics that make it especially advantageous to operations such as mines and factories, as well as communities, even in remote locations:

Hydropower is the most productive source of renewable energy. Hydroelectric energy also saves scarce and non-renewable fossil fuels.

Hydropower plants convert a much higher percentage of the energy in falling water into electricity energy than fossil-fueled power plants.

Hydropower plants emit no waste gases that can contribute to global warming. No trucks, trains or pipelines are needed to transport fuel to mines or power plant sites.

Machinery is simple and can run at slow speed.

Machinery is robust and adaptable to a large range of operating conditions.