Hydropower is crucial within the global renewable energy landscape. Currently, this form of energy generation is not only the most widely used but also one of the most efficient. With over 1.000 GW of installed capacity worldwide, this technology is the backbone that supports other, less predictable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power.
According to the latest data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global hydroelectric production reached 2014 TWh in 1.437, representing 14% of the world's electricity. And it is forecast that by 2050, these figures will double, exceeding 2.000 GW of installed capacity.
But why is hydropower so important? In addition to generating a significant amount of electricity, this type of technology also has several crucial benefits, such as sustainability, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and low operation and maintenance costs compared to other energy sources. All in all, large economies and developing countries continue to invest in this technology.
Advantages of hydroelectric power
Hydropower has many advantages over most other sources of electrical energy, including a high level of reliability, proven and highly efficient technology , and the lowest operating and maintenance costs.
Below we break down some of its most notable advantages:
- Sustainability: By taking advantage of the natural water cycle, it generates virtually no greenhouse gas emissions.
- Flexibility: Hydropower plants, especially storage plants, can respond quickly to changes in electricity demand.
- Low operating cost: Despite the high initial investment, operating and maintenance costs are very low in the long term.
- Long useful life: Many hydroelectric facilities can operate efficiently for more than 50 years.
The world's major hydroelectric power plants
The world's major economies, such as China, the United States, Brazil and Russia, have implemented impressive hydroelectric projects that stand out for their capacity and complexity. These infrastructures have not only transformed energy production, but have also had an enormous economic and social impact in their respective regions.
Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station
The Three Gorges Dam in China is located on the Yangtze River and, with an installed capacity of 22.500 MW, is the world's largest hydroelectric power plant. Construction began in 1993 and was completed in 2012 at a cost of approximately €18.000 billion.
The dam is 181 meters high and over two kilometers long. In total, the plant has 34 turbines (32 of 700 MW and 2 of 50 MW) that generate an impressive 98,8 TWh annually. This power plant is crucial not only for China's energy supply but also for flood control and improving river transport on the Yangtze River.
Itaipú Hydroelectric Power Plant
The Itaipu hydroelectric plant is the second largest in the world, with an installed capacity of 14.000 MW. This plant is located on the Paraná River, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. Its construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1982, with a total investment of €15.000 billion.
The Itaipu plant supplies 17,3% of Brazil's electricity and 72,5% of Paraguay's energy consumption. It generates approximately 98,5 TWh annually, which puts it on par with the Three Gorges plant in terms of production.
Xiluodu hydroelectric power station
Located in China, the Xiluodu hydroelectric power station is the third largest in the world. Situated on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze, it has a capacity of 13.860 MW. Construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2014, at a cost of €5.500 billion.
The plant generates approximately 64 TWh of electricity per year and, like other large dams in China, plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Guri hydroelectric power station
The Guri hydroelectric complex , located in Venezuela and also known as the Simón BolÃvar hydroelectric plant, is one of the most important infrastructure projects in Latin America. With an installed capacity of 10.235 MW, this plant supplies a large part of the country's energy demand and provides electricity to Brazil.
Its construction lasted more than two decades, being completed in 1986. With 20 turbines in operation, Guri generates more than 47 TWh of clean energy annually, contributing significantly to the regional economy.
Tucuruà Hydroelectric Power Plant
In Brazil, the Tucuruà hydroelectric plant ranks fifth in installed capacity, with 8.370 MW. Begun in 1975 and completed in 2010, Tucuruà is crucial not only for energy but also for Brazil's economic development, as it facilitates navigation on the Tocantins River and enables its use for irrigation and consumption.
The project as a whole required an investment of 4.000 billion euros, and its second phase, completed in 2010, added 11 additional generation units, allowing Tucuruà to generate more than 41,43 TWh per year.
The future of hydroelectric energy in the world
The potential for hydropower development remains enormous, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Countries such as Ethiopia are developing projects such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam with the capacity to generate 6.350 MW, while China continues to lead the way with projects such as Baihetan, which will provide another 16.000 MW of clean energy.
The growth of hydropower is also supported by new pumped storage technology, which allows the same infrastructure to be used to store and generate energy during times of high demand, helping to balance intermittent power generation from other renewable sources such as solar or wind.
Today, the total installed capacity of hydropower plants exceeds 2.000 GW, and demand for hydropower is expected to continue to increase in line with global carbon reduction efforts and the growth of electrification around the world.
With its advantages as a clean, flexible and reliable source, hydropower will continue to be an indispensable part of the global energy future, helping to mitigate climate change and provide sustainable energy for development in the decades to come.