Renewable Energy Power Plant - Hydroelectric Energy

Yanuar March 03, 2024

Renewable Energy Power Plant - Hydroelectric Power Plant

 Sustainable Energy 

 Hydro Power 

5 minutes read

Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric energy is a type of renewable energy that harnesses the power of moving water to generate electricity. It works by using turbines to convert the kinetic energy of falling or flowing water into mechanical energy that is then converted into electrical energy.

Hydroelectric power plants are typically built near large bodies of water, such as rivers or lakes, where the potential energy of the water can be harnessed. The amount of electricity generated by a hydroelectric power plant depends on a variety of factors, including the volume of water flowing through the turbines, the height of the water drop, and the efficiency of the turbines.

Hydroelectric energy is a reliable and consistent source of renewable energy, as water flow can be controlled and adjusted to match electricity demand. It is also a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy, as it does not produce any greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution. However, the construction of large hydroelectric dams can have significant impacts on local ecosystems and communities, and the amount of electricity generated can be affected by droughts or changes in water availability.


List of Hydroelectric Power Plant by Country

North American countries that take advantage of hydroelectric energy, the number of power plants, and their capacity:

CountryNumber of Power PlantsTotal Capacity (MW)
United States2,585102,167
Canada60481,496
Mexico8311,083
Guatemala281,788
Costa Rica222,762
Panama151,616
Dominican Republic121,798
Honduras8470
El Salvador5205
Nicaragua3251

Countries in South America that take advantage of Hydroelectric Energy, along with the number of power plants and their capacity (in megawatts), based on data from the International Hydropower Association:

CountryNumber of Power PlantsTotal Capacity (MW)
Brazil2172103,058
Venezuela2915,052
Colombia1148,633
Peru946,310
Argentina515,884
Ecuador274,527
Chile253,274
Paraguay42,862
Bolivia212,772
Uruguay91,885
Guyana1163
Suriname2170
French Guiana00
Falkland Islands00

European countries that take advantage of hydroelectric energy, along with the number of power plants they have and their capacity:

CountryNumber of Power PlantsCapacity (MW)
Norway1,51429,943
Switzerland55614,685
Sweden1,13013,933
France43325,332
Italy1,26618,853
Austria32616,286
Spain1,19415,041
Portugal386,048
Greece511,956
United Kingdom2001,667

Asian countries that take advantage of hydroelectric energy, including the number of power plants and their capacity based on data from the International Hydropower Association:

CountryNumber of Power PlantsTotal Capacity (MW)
China24,873352,934
India5,64750,343
Japan1,07451,226
Russia1,05147,998
Vietnam43219,219
Indonesia3275,762
Turkey30028,719
Iran24012,616
Nepal2251,223
Tajikistan1354,048
Pakistan1297,076
Uzbekistan801,097
Kyrgyzstan753,044
Malaysia211,306
Sri Lanka181,016

African countries that take advantage of hydroelectric energy:

CountryNumber of Power PlantsTotal Capacity (MW)
Angola72,071
Cameroon116,098
Democratic Republic of Congo2044,447
Egypt22,100
Ethiopia164,430
Ivory Coast71,182
Kenya7821
Madagascar15799
Mali4271
Morocco71,790
Mozambique42,045
Namibia170
Nigeria41,427
Senegal327
South Africa143,564
Sudan62,583
Tanzania8575
Uganda3380
Zambia42,054
Zimbabwe5750