Clean, safe, efficient.
|Construction Cost||8,500 · 150 · 20 · 25 · 5 · 3 · 1|
|Maintenance Cost|| -10 · -140 · +500 |
|Size|| 1 Dam Slot|
Hydro Power, short for Hydroelectric Power, is the production of electricity using the flow of water through a dam. Water moving through the dam from the reservoir behind turns a turbine which itself powers a generator which produces the electrical current. In Anno 2070, you're able to build a dam with a Hydroelectric Power Plant in it. That way, you can generate your own Hydro Power.
Because the Hydroelectric Power Plant produces so much energy so cheaply (the only cheaper alternative is the Nuclear Power Plant), and that it is 100% green and safe (no risk of accidents unlike the Nuclear Power Plant), it's the perfect, albeit limited, energy source for both Eco and Tycoon players. The power generation can be increased to 700 units by having a three star rarity Ark upgrade activated, or if you install all 3 power upgrades its output will be increased by 90%, giving you 950 units of power.
Some players experience difficulties finding an island with perfect Lake and River Slots, because the river usually occupies large parts of the island itself. But it isn't impossible to find an island which is perfect to have a dam on, and where the river isn't occupying too much space of the island. If you still experience troubles with finding a island which is perfect for a dam, try to generate a medium map or a small one. The smaller the map is, the larger the chance of finding the best island for the dam.
The blueprint for the Hydroelectric Power Plant is created at the Academy. It requires the prototype "Alwinic Anion Catalyst". You can either discover it through research in a Lab, or buy it from Trenchcoat for 900 licenses. There cannot be more than one of these in an ark, ship, or warehouse.
Most upgrades are Research Projects available at the Academy. Island wide upgrades are not available from research. Since this plant is flagged as a Tech building, it also benefits from Tech-specific island and sector wide upgrades.