Top 10 Hydropower Producing Countries in the World 2020

CLP Director of Marketing Services Chow Lap-man claims using feed-in tariffs in Hong Kong is ‘impractical’, according to the SCMP (June 12, 2015), due to the small production levels. Renewable energy depends heavily on weather conditions, making it impossible to ensure stable supply when used in isolation.

Solar Energy

• China – Total Installed Capacity: 356.4 GW.
• Brazil – Total Installed Capacity: 109.1 GW.
• US – Total Installed Capacity: 102.8 GW.
• Canada – Total Installed Capacity: 81.4 GW.
• India – Total Installed Capacity: 50.1 GW.
• Japan – Total Installed Capacity: 49.9 GW.

The top three is completed by Canada, which produces 376.7 billion kilowatt hours a year. Alongside the United States, in fourth, there are also places for Norway, Sweden, India, Venezuela and Japan, showing the geographical dispersion of hydroelectric power production.

China

Hydropower is fueled by water, so it’s a clean fuel source, meaning it won’t pollute the air like power plants that burn fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas. Because hydropower plants can generate power to the grid immediately, they provide essential back-up power during major electricity outages or disruptions.

Today, hydropower provides about 16 percent of the world’s electricity, generating power in all but two U.S. states. Hydropower became an electricity source in the late 19th century, a few decades after British-American engineer James Francis developed the first modern water turbine.

Hydroelectric powerplants are the most efficient means of producing electric energy. The efficiency of today’s hydroelectric plant is about 90 percent.

Hydropower fell out of favor in the ’90s because of the harm it can cause to communities and ecosystems. However, a recent push from the World Bank for more hydro projects worldwide, especially in developing countries, could lead to a resurgence of hydropower plants, the Washington Post reports.

Hydropower can impact water quality and flow. Hydropower plants can cause low dissolved oxygen levels in the water, a problem that is harmful to riparian (riverbank) habitats and is addressed using various aeration techniques, which oxygenate the water.

Hydropower is called a renewable energy source because it is replenished by snow and rainfall. As long as the rain falls, we won’t run out of this energy source. Hydropower has been used for centuries.

Hydropower offers long term generation beyond the subsidy period and hydropower schemes have an 80-year life compared to 25 years for wind, solar PV and AD; 35 years for nuclear.

The average lifespan of a hydropower facility is 100 years. By upgrading and increasing the efficiencies and capacities of existing facilities, hydropower can continue to support our nation’s growing energy needs.

Annual Operations & Maintenance Costs IRENA reports average investment costs for large hydropower plants with storage typically range from as low as $1,050/kW to as high as $7,650/kW, while the range for small hydropower projects is between $1,300/kW and $8,000/kW.

Pros and cons of hydropower