Trystan Casey
Hydropower is a significant source of electricity worldwide, accounting for more than 16% of global electricity production. In 2022, it represented about 14.3% of total electricity generation from all sources. Hydropower is the largest renewable source of electricity, surpassing all other renewable technologies combined. It offers a flexible, low-cost, and relatively low-emission source of energy, making it a compelling option for supporting the integration of variable renewables like solar and wind power. The use of hydropower has helped avoid over 100 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the past 50 years. While hydropower generation is expected to increase, its share in total power generation may decline as electricity demand grows faster than new projects can keep up.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of electricity that comes from hydropower globally | 14.3% of total electricity generation in 2022; 16.8% in 2020 |
| Percentage of renewable electricity that comes from hydropower | More than 50% |
| Largest hydropower producing countries | China, Brazil, the USA, Canada, and Russia |
| Countries where hydropower is the main source of electricity | Norway, Brazil, Venezuela, Canada, Sweden, Russia, China, India, Japan, the USA |
| Hydropower's share of electricity production in advanced economies | Declining |
| Hydropower's share of electricity production in emerging and developing economies | Meets the majority of electricity demand in 28 countries with a total population of 800 million |
| Global hydropower capacity in 2023 | 4,250 TWh |
| Global hydropower capacity in 2020 | 26,000 TWh |
| Global hydropower capacity in 2024 | 1,443 GW |
| Global hydropower capacity in 2021 | 1,400 GW |
| Global hydropower capacity by 2030 | Expected to increase by 17% or 230 GW |
| Global weighted average cost of electricity from hydropower in 2022 | US$0.061 per kWh |
| Global pumped storage capacity by 2030 | Expected to increase by 7% to 9 TWh |
| Global pumped storage capacity in 2021 | 1,500 TWh |
| Countries with high hydropower potential | Switzerland, Mexico |
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What You'll Learn
- Hydropower's share of US energy consumption is around 2.5%
- Hydropower is the largest renewable electricity generation source globally
- Hydropower accounts for 6.2% to 6.6% of total US electricity generation
- Hydropower provides electricity to 13 western US states
- Hydropower is a renewable, sustainable energy source
Hydropower's share of US energy consumption is around 2.5%
Hydropower is a significant source of electricity worldwide, and it currently accounts for about 16% of all electricity produced globally, making it the largest renewable energy source. In the US, hydropower's share of energy consumption is much lower, at around 2.5% as per the data from 2020. This figure represents a decrease from previous years, as the US generated 7.9% of its electricity from hydropower in 2011, and the share was 7.3% in 2020.
The US is the fourth-largest producer of hydropower globally, after China, Brazil, and Canada. The US has a long history of hydropower development, with the first hydroelectric power station in the country, the Old Schoelkopf Power Station, dating back to 1881. By 1889, there were 200 hydroelectric power stations in the US. Despite this early start, the average hydropower plant in North America is nearly 50 years old, and the business case for these plants has deteriorated due to declining electricity prices and the lack of long-term revenue certainty.
The US Department of Energy has identified significant untapped potential in existing US dams designed for purposes other than power production, which could provide an additional 12 GW of hydropower capacity, roughly 15% of the current capacity. Hydropower is a critical component of the US's renewable energy mix, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extended support for hydropower technologies through tax credits.
Hydropower offers several advantages, including low operating costs, flexibility in ramping electricity generation up and down, and the ability to provide peak power to meet demand. It also has a high degree of flexibility, enabling it to adjust quickly to shifts in demand and fluctuations in supply from other sources. Additionally, hydropower has one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy generated among all energy sources and offers multiple environmental benefits.
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Hydropower is the largest renewable electricity generation source globally
Hydropower is currently the largest renewable source of electricity in the world, accounting for more than 16% of all electricity produced globally. It generates more electricity than all other renewable technologies combined and is expected to remain the largest source of renewable electricity into the 2030s. However, it is projected to be overtaken by wind and solar power in the following years.
Hydropower has been a significant source of electricity for centuries, with the first hydroelectric power scheme developed in 1878. Today, it offers very low-cost electricity over its long lifetime, despite relatively high upfront construction costs. Hydropower plants can also ramp up and down electricity generation much faster than nuclear, coal, and natural gas plants, making them highly flexible. This flexibility allows them to quickly adjust to shifts in demand and fluctuations in supply from other sources. Additionally, hydropower has one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy generated among all energy sources.
The use of hydropower has helped avoid more than 100 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in the past 50 years, exceeding the emissions averted by nuclear power. It also provides multiple environmental benefits, such as regulating and storing water to mitigate the impacts of climate change-induced extreme weather events like floods and droughts. Hydropower plants contribute significantly to the flexibility and security of electricity systems, especially in emerging and developing economies, where it meets the majority of electricity demand.
However, hydropower development faces challenges, including complex permitting procedures, environmental and social acceptance issues, and long construction periods, leading to higher investment risks. In advanced economies, the business case for hydropower has weakened due to declining electricity prices and ageing fleets that require modernisation. Nevertheless, hydropower remains crucial for achieving global net-zero targets and will continue to play a key role in the transition to a decarbonised power system.
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Hydropower accounts for 6.2% to 6.6% of total US electricity generation
Hydropower has been an important component of the US energy mix for over a century. In 2022, hydropower generation accounted for 6.2% of total US electricity generation and 28.7% of electricity from renewables. The following year, in 2023, about 4.18 trillion kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity were generated in the US, with about 60% coming from fossil fuels, 19% from nuclear energy, and 21% from renewable energy sources. While hydropower is a significant contributor to the US electricity generation mix, its share has been overtaken by other renewable sources and fossil fuels. This can be attributed to factors such as geographic limitations for new large-scale projects and the increasing popularity of wind and solar power technologies.
Hydropower, generated by harnessing the power of flowing water, is a remarkable renewable energy source that has long been utilized in the US. It offers the dual advantages of sustainability and zero direct greenhouse gas emissions. The US has several powerful waterways, such as the Colorado and Columbia rivers, that feed hydropower plants and contribute significantly to the country's electricity generation. In certain western states, hydropower plays an even more prominent role, accounting for more than 22% of electricity generation in 13 western states, including Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
The importance of hydropower extends beyond its contribution to electricity generation. It also provides clean energy and supports grid stability. The flexibility of hydropower is particularly valuable as the US generation mix evolves to incorporate more variable renewable resources, such as wind and solar power. Hydropower can provide necessary flexibility and reliability services to the grid, ensuring a stable supply of electricity. Additionally, hydropower plants can be retrofitted with batteries, further enhancing their role in energy storage and grid stability.
Despite the many benefits of hydropower, there are also challenges and limitations to its expansion. One significant obstacle is the environmental impact of dam construction, which has led to concerns and restrictions on the development of new large-scale hydropower projects. However, modernization and refurbishment projects at existing dams, such as the Chief Joseph Dam project in Washington, aim to increase power generation capacity and improve efficiency while also protecting wildlife. These upgrades not only enhance electricity production but also contribute to economic growth in the surrounding regions.
In summary, hydropower accounts for a notable but decreasing percentage of total US electricity generation, currently ranging from 6.2% to 6.6%. While other renewable sources and fossil fuels have gained prominence, hydropower remains crucial for its flexibility, clean energy production, and support for grid stability. The US is investing in modernization projects to enhance the efficiency and capacity of existing hydropower infrastructure, ensuring its continued importance in the country's energy mix.
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Hydropower provides electricity to 13 western US states
Hydropower is a significant source of electricity in the Western United States, with a long history dating back to the 19th century. The earliest hydroelectric power generation in the US was used for lighting and employed a direct current (DC) system. The first DC powerhouse was in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1880. By 1886, between 40 and 50 hydroelectric stations were operating in the US and Canada, and by 1888, about 200 electric companies relied on hydropower for at least part of their generation.
In the 13 western US states, hydropower accounts for more than 22% of all electricity generation. In states like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, hydropower accounted for more than half of each state's electricity generation in 2013. The Columbia River basin is the largest concentration of hydroelectric generation in the US, providing 44% of the nation's hydroelectricity in 2012. Washington has the most conventional hydroelectricity-generation capacity of any state, and is home to the Grand Coulee Dam, the largest US hydropower facility.
The Western US is home to many of the nation's largest hydropower dams, including the Chief Joseph Dam in Bridgeport, Washington, and the Hoover Dam, built in the 1930s. Hydropower generation provides clean, affordable power to eight western states and helps them enjoy some of the lowest electricity prices in the country, as well as cleaner air.
Hydropower generation in the US has seen growth and represents a significant share of the country's renewable energy sources. In 2019, hydropower generation represented 6.6% of US electricity generation and 38% of electricity from renewables. In 2021, hydroelectric power produced 31.5% of total renewable electricity and 6.3% of total US electricity. Hydropower provides flexibility and reliability services to the grid as the US generation mix changes to include more variable renewable resources like wind and solar.
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Hydropower is a renewable, sustainable energy source
In 2022, hydropower generation represented 6.2% of total US electricity generation and 28.7% of electricity from renewables. The percentage of total US energy consumption from hydroelectric power is approximately 2.5%. However, in 13 western states, hydropower accounts for more than 22% of electricity generation. In states like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, hydropower accounted for more than half of each state's electricity generation in 2013.
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable electricity generation capacity worldwide, contributing around one-sixth of global production. However, other renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar, have been growing at a faster rate in recent years. The growth of wind and solar power technologies has made these sources more prominent within the renewable energy sector.
Despite the emergence of other renewable sources, hydropower remains crucial due to its flexibility and reliability services to the grid. Hydropower plants can provide various ancillary services, such as black start, 1-hour ramps, frequency regulation, and reserves. Additionally, hydropower plants can be utilized for battery storage, with at least 11 plants in the US adding or planning to add battery capacity.
Upgrades and modernization projects at existing hydropower facilities can increase power generation capacity and improve turbine efficiency. For example, the Alstom project at the Chief Joseph Dam in Washington will boost turbine efficiency to 95% or better and deliver clean electricity to an additional 30,000 homes in the Northwestern US. Such projects sustainably increase renewable energy generation and protect wildlife.
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Frequently asked questions
Hydropower generation accounted for 6.2% of total US electricity generation in 2022. In 13 Western states, hydropower accounts for more than 22% of electricity generation.
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable electricity generation capacity worldwide, accounting for 40% of the total. In the US, hydropower made up 38% of electricity from renewables in 2019 and 28.7% in 2022.
Hydropower is a significant source of electricity, but it has been overtaken by other renewable sources and fossil fuels in recent years. Fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum, are still the primary sources of electricity in many countries, contributing to about 60% of US electricity generation. However, some countries get over 90% of their electricity from nuclear or renewable sources, with hydropower and nuclear energy being the most common.
