Assessing hydropower for the second quarter of the 21st century

Hydropower has been an important source of renewable energy for more than a century. In 2020, it generated nearly 4500 TWh of electricity, accounting for some 1/6th of the global total. Currently, hydropower generates 50% or more electricity in 35 countries covering some 800 million people. Even though hydropower has proven to be a reliable energy source, the period 1995-2005 was a lost decade for hydro developments. Strong anti-dam movements by single-issue activist NGOs ensured institutions like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank mostly stopped funding large dams. However, countries like Brazil, China, India, and Turkey continued with their hydro developments. By 2020 China was by far the largest hydropower generator in the world, followed by Brazil, Canada and the USA. IEA forecasts global hydro-capacity during 2021-2030 is likely to increase by 17% or 230 GW. China would contribute to 42% of this growth. China has now become the largest dam builder both within and outside the country. Unfortunately, policymakers all over the world have consistently underappreciated the net benefits of hydro developments. Given the global need for ensuring long-term energy, food and water security, and the urgency of reaching net zero around 2050, hydropower needs to move higher up in national and international political agendas.

By Asit K. Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada, 2024. Article published in Hydropower & Dams World Atlas .

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Taxonomy

• Energy
• Hydropower
• Dams
• Reservoir
• China