Hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power, is a form of renewable energy that harnesses the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water to generate electricity. As one of the oldest and most widely used forms of renewable energy, hydropower plays a significant role in the global energy mix due to its reliability, efficiency, and minimal greenhouse gas emissions.
Hydropower generation is based on the conversion of the potential energy of stored or flowing water into mechanical energy, and then into electrical energy using turbines and generators. The process utilizes the gravitational force of water falling from a height or moving through a river system.
Hydropower accounts for about 16% of the world's electricity generation and over 60% of all renewable electricity. Countries like China, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and Russia are leading producers. As of 2024, global installed hydropower capacity exceeds 1,300 gigawatts, demonstrating its major role in the energy landscape.
