Hydropower and the development of small hydropower plants in the world

Hydropower is currently the largest renewable energy source, producing more electricity than all other renewable technologies combined. It is expected to maintain its position as the world’s largest renewable energy source by 2030. In 2022, hydropower production increased by almost 70 TWh, reaching a total of 4,300 TWh. The hydropower sector is developing rapidly in China and India. However, in North America, the average age of a hydropower plant is almost 50 years, and in Europe it is 45 years. There is still around 50% of profitable hydropower potential that has not been utilized globally.

Small hydropower plants have a significant potential that is yet to be utilized. According to the 2022 report of the United Nations Industrial Development Agency, the worldwide capacity of small hydropower plants installed was approximately 79 GW, while their total known potential is almost 222 GW. However, as of 2020, over 700 million people on Earth, mainly in rural areas, still did not have access to electricity.

Europe is currently witnessing a dynamic development of small hydropower plants. In 2022, Norway alone put 25 small hydropower plants into operation, with a total capacity of 163 MW. Large power plant projects have been completed in Switzerland (the Nant de Drance pumped storage power plant, the largest in Europe), Portugal (Tâmega), and Turkey (Yusufeli Dam). In addition, the largest newly built run-of-river power plant in the Alpine region of Europe, Gemeinschaftskraftwerk Inn, was completed in Austria.