A report in 2017 showed that approximately 64.5% of the electricity we use is generated from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. When there is burning, there is going to be negative impacts to our environment, and this is no different. The combustion process to generate electricity actually produces many harmful by-products such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter and even heavy metals.
When these gases are not properly processed or regulated before they are released into the environment, air pollution occurs. Some of these gases are greenhouse gases and depletes our ozone layer which is essential in protecting us from UV rays. The ozone layer also helps regulate the temperature on Earth. On top of that, some of these gases can also enter the water cycle and cause acid rain.
Another indirect adverse impact that is hardly thought of, is that the transmission and distribution of electrical power require transmission lines and utility infrastructure. This could cause issues like deforestation as large areas of land are cleared in the process.