Cost risk of construction of small hydroelectric power plants

Abstract

The growing demand for electricity forces the humanity to find the most economical methods of its production. Functioning without electricity in today's world deprives human from the possibility of a free existence, and even completely prevents it because of the technicisation of society. Growing awareness of acquiring "clean" environmentally-friendly energy from renewable sources contributes to the successive development of this sector of the economy. The purpose of the article was to analyse the risk of construction costs for small hydroelectric power plants along with an indication of the location and needs of a small hydroelectric power plant in Poland. The subject of the study was a small hydroelectric power plant producing electricity, using a turbine to convert the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy. Aiming at illustrating the benefits of the discussed investment based on the estimation of construction costs and, as a result, financial results, a specific case of a small hydroelectric power plant located in the region of Kujawsko-Pomorskie [Kuyavian-Pomeranian Viovodeship] in central Poland was analysed. The intended research objective was achieved using industry literature, magazines as well as technical knowledge of persons holding building qualifications (including hydro-technical construction) and materials made available by two Bydgoszcz companies specializing in the implementation of small hydroelectric power plants. The COMAR- Jarek Górecki® algorithm, which operates in the industry as the author's concept of calculating the variation of financial outlays incurred for the implementation of investment and construction projects, was used to analyse the risk of costs of a construction project.