Europe It is one of the regions of the world with the greater installed capacity of hydroelectric generation, according to the latest report of the International Hydropower Association (IHA). The European Union is home to approximately 260 GW of the world's estimated total of 860-950 GW of installed hydropower capacity.
This energy is a fundamental pillar in the European energy transition, thanks to its key role not only in the generation of renewable electricity, but also in the stability and flexibility it brings to the electrical system.
Other continents are also making progress in this sector, with China having overtaken the United States in installed capacity, while South America is also developing its water resources at a rapid pace. Globally, it is estimated that between 1998 and 2000,000 people will be able to use the water to grow. 127 and 150 GW capacity belongs to pumped storage plants, and growth of 60% is expected in this market over the next five years.
Evolution of hydroelectric energy in Europe
The trend in Europe has been one of modernization of existing infrastructure, many of which are more than 40 years old. This process includes renewing licenses and updating equipment to increase plant efficiency. According to the report REN-21In 2009, installed hydroelectric capacity in Europe grew by 3%, highlighting the maturity of the sector and the need to continue developing this technology.
However, the current scenario faces several challenges, such as recurrent droughts affecting regions of southern Europe, causing a significant reduction in hydroelectric energy production. For example, in 2022, a 15% drop in production was recorded in some European countries, reflecting vulnerability to climate change.
Types of hydroelectric energy
- Large hydroelectric plants: These projects usually have a generation capacity of more than 10 MW and require large dams and reservoirs. In Europe, the installed capacity stands out in countries such as France, Italy, and Norway.
- Mini hydroelectric plants: Projects with a capacity of less than 10 MW are common in rural areas for local use or in areas with limited water resources. Spain and Italy are leaders in the implementation of this technology within the European Union.
- Pumping accumulation: This technique is key to storing energy obtained from intermittent sources such as solar or wind. The total pumped storage capacity amounts to several gigawatts in Europe, with Spain being one of the countries with the best infrastructure.
Environmental and social benefits
Hydroelectric power is not only beneficial for the generation of clean electricity, but also for its ability to regulate the flow of rivers, assisting in the management of water for human and agricultural consumption, and its potential to prevent flooding. In addition, hydroelectric infrastructures are a source of employment and an economic driver in rural areas, contributing to local development and population settlement.
A prominent case is the development of combined projects, such as that of Alqueva in Portugal, which integrates solar and hydroelectric energy, maximizing the use of renewable resources and ensuring greater stability in the electricity supply.
Environmental impact and new solutions
Despite their benefits, the construction and operation of hydroelectric plants can have a negative impact on aquatic ecosystems. Modification of river habitats and obstacles to fish migration are the main associated problems. However, in recent years technologies have been developed to make hydroelectric plants more sustainable.
The European project FIThydroFor example, the company has investigated the creation of technological solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of hydroelectric plants. Achievements include devices that guide fish away from turbines or monitoring technologies that ensure that plants operate in a way that minimizes ecological damage.
Innovative projects for infrastructure improvement
One of the main trends in Europe is the modernisation of existing infrastructure. Projects such as iAMP-Hydro are underway, which aims to develop an intelligent management platform for hydroelectric plants based on artificial intelligence. This platform will allow the implementation of measures to Predictive Maintenance, improving operational efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
In addition, efforts are being made to digitalise European hydropower plants to improve decision-making and reduce environmental impact. Digitalisation will also make it possible to optimise water use during periods of drought and reduce dependence on weather conditions.
The future of hydropower in Europe
The EU's goal of reducing carbon emissions and achieving 20% of energy produced from renewable sources by 2020 is not uniformly applicable to all countries, and allows countries with greater hydroelectric capacity, such as the Nordic countries, to exceed this figure, while other countries with less development in this sector fall behind.
Although not all large pumped storage plants are considered renewable within the decarbonisation framework, the drive towards greater storage capacity and the implementation of more sustainable solutions ensures that hydropower will remain central to Europe's decarbonisation.
In addition, initiatives such as the European Hydropower Alliance, formed by the main electricity companies in Europe, promotes the inclusion of hydroelectric energy in the European Union's Green Deal, highlighting its strategic role in the supply of clean energy and in the regulation of the electrical system.
Hydropower is undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of Europe's energy future. Although it faces challenges such as ageing infrastructure and the effects of climate change, its storage capacity and flexibility make it an indispensable ally in the transition towards a more sustainable electricity system.
Because if we have other sources, they are not used and because the banks that finance do not think about these alternatives, Panama is developing projects where the forests are cleared and all the biomass is thrown away or buried, that is, there is no purpose with all this material that is thousands of tons (today there are technologies that allow us to take advantage of this) and yet we have a Ministry of the environment. We need to have programs for contingencies (floods, fires) programs for agriculture (fertilizers) in short, I think we only use the easiest way.
Panama, being a small country in territorial extension and large in economy and development with few possibilities of hydroelectric energy, may be at a disadvantage in this matter compared to neighboring countries of Central America, but I think they have the solution at their fingertips, they do not need to build infrastructure to generate electrical energy, with a little imagination and looking to the future with determination, they could import cheap hydroelectric energy from Ecuador through Colombia since I understand that there is a connection between Panama and Colombia and between Ecuador and Colombia thus using the electrical networks Colombian -Ecuadorian electric power flows smoothly to Panama and thus Panama would have the security of having enough electric power for many years, I imagine that with a little positive vision, electric power could be given to all of Central America: cheap and non-polluting helping to the planet and to the development of the Central American countries.