Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure
Is it limited because all the possible locations already have hydro plants, or because there isn't enough water(basically)?
As a comparison, Manitoba Hydro generates around $350 million per year in electricity exports, and lots of people feel that number could easily be pushed to a million. The contracts signed are often good for 20-30 years, and therefore it is a steady stream of income. Obviously given it is a crown corporation there is a huge difference, but the general idea still applies.
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The limitation is a self imposed one. The idea is you don't want to divert and control too much of a watershed. The actual amounts and percentages I'm not sure of but with hydro power, it is dammed. Damming too much can cause environmental issues. The reason it is dammed is so that the hydro stations can change electrical output based on how much water flows and in layman's terms, how open the valves are.
Edit: here's an article outlining in basic terms the issues with wind, solar and in situ hydro generation. Since their output cannot be regulated, it can have severe implications (dropping frequency and voltage levels) without having a backup form of generation in place. Read point 5 in specific.
http://dailycaller.com/2015/12/25/top-11-problems-plaguing-solar-and-wind-power/