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RISE Information Portal - Technologies - Hydro

In 1882 in the United States the first hydro-electric plant was built. This plant made use of a fast flowing river as its source. Some years later, dams were constructed to create artificial water storage areas at the most convenient locations. These dams also controlled the water flow rate to the power station turbines. Originally, hydro-electric power stations were of a small size and were set up at waterfalls in the vicinity of towns because it was not possible at that time, to transmit electrical energy over great distances. The main reason why there has been large-scale use of hydro-electric power is because it can now be transmitted inexpensively over hundreds of kilometres to where it is required, making hydro-power economically viable.