Global hydroelectric power capacity growth at 8-year peak
Hydroelectric capacity growth in the world reached 34 thousand megawatts last year, the highest level since 2015.
According to the data of the International Hydroelectric Association (IHA) 2023 World Hydropower Report, the increase in the capacity of hydroelectric energy was due to the increase in the need for reliable and continuous electricity, and the preference of more environmentally friendly sources by developed countries in order to reach their carbon emission targets.
Hydroelectric installed power increased by 34 thousand megawatts compared to the previous year and reached 1 million 397 thousand megawatts. 10,500 megawatts of the newly added capacity consisted of pumped storage hydroelectric power plants, and the remaining 23,500 megawatts was hydroelectric power plants with dams.
China is the clear winner with 415,000 megawatts.
In terms of installed power in hydroelectric energy, China ranked first in the world with 415,000 megawatts. China was followed by Brazil with 110 thousand megawatts of installed capacity and the USA with 102 thousand megawatts. Turkey, on the other hand, maintained its place in 2021 with an installed power of 32 thousand megawatts, ranking 9th in the world and 2nd in Europe.
Last year, 2 thousand 712 megawatts of new installed power was added in hydroelectricity in Europe. Of this, 1780 megawatts consisted of pumped storage hydroelectric power plants. During this period, the total installed hydroelectric power in Europe reached 258,000 megawatts.
Hydroelectric capacity growth in the world increased by 34 thousand megawatts last year for the first time after the level of 33 thousand 700 megawatts in 2015.
In the said period, the biggest contribution to the capacity increase came from China with 23,811 megawatts. It was followed by Laos with 1100 megawatts, Canada with 1012 megawatts, Portugal with 998 megawatts and Switzerland with 900 megawatts.
