Reports related to this article:
Project(s): View 6 related projects in PECWeb
Plant(s): View 3 related plants in PECWeb
Released May 20, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
en
Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Closely monitoring weather conditions, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that hydropower generation in the U.S. will increase 7.5% from last year's record lows. Despite the increase, the EIA estimates that in 2025 this form of power will remain about 2.4% below the 10-year average. The forecast marks an improvement for the Pacific Northwest, which saw low generation figures last year.
The EIA noted that U.S. hydropower generation fell to 241 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2024, the lowest since at least 2010, but the agency expects hydropower to provide more than 259 billion kWh this year, representing about 6% of overall U.S. power generation.
The EIA analyzes U.S. hydropower generation by region, with the Northwest and Rockies region covering Oregon, Washington, northern California, and other states to the east. The agency's California segment encompasses all of the state with the exception of the extreme northern portion.
Based on the water-supply outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest River Forecast Center (NWRFC), the EIA said it expected precipitation in the Northwest and Rockies region to increase 17% compared with last year, although this is still 4% below the 10-year average. Within the more specific Pacific-Northwest area, the NWRFC forecasts the northern portion, which includes the Columbia River Basin, will have below-normal precipitation, while the southern portion, which includes the Snake River Basin, will have near- to above-normal supply. The water supply conditions at the Dalles Dam on the border between Washington and Oregon reflect conditions of the upstream Columbia River system and was estimated to be about 85% of normal for the period around May 1. Despite these lower conditions, hydropower generation still is expected to grow from last year, testament to its low generation in 2024.
Industrial Info is tracking approximately $1.5 billion worth of hydropower projects that are presently under construction in the U.S., with more than half of this coming from Washington state. Most of the projects being tracked entail upgrades and modernizations to existing facilities, which represent some of the oldest renewable energy plants in the U.S.
A substantial portion of Washington's activity includes the replacement of the motor control center for units 1-8 at the Rock Island hydropower station, located near the geographic center of the state on the Columbia River. The long-term project kicked off in early 2023 and involves the replacement of the motor control center for the eight 52-megawatt (MW) turbines to improve reliability and operational efficiency. The project is expected to be completed in 2030. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can learn more by viewing the project report.
Showcasing the state's low hydro generation in past years, the EIA estimated hydropower generation in the California region will be 28.5 billion kWh, which is 6% less than last year's generation, but still 15% more than 10-year average. Warmer-than-normal temperatures in April led to some early snowmelt in the state. According to the EIA, accumulation from winter precipitation tends to peak by April 1, serving as natural reservoir that melts gradually as temperatures rise, leading to waterflow through the hydropower dams.
The early snowmelt has led most reservoirs in California to be at above-normal levels for this time of year, with the state's two largest reservoirs, Shasta and Oroville, at 113% and 121% of their historical averages, respectively. The EIA reported that as of May, the snowpack conditions were at 81% of normal for the Northern Sierra Nevada, 73% for Central Sierra and 53% for the Southern Sierra portion--not boding well for long-term sustained generation in the state through the year.
While Industrial Info is tracking no hydro projects presently underway in California, billions of dollars' worth are on the planning table, primarily for pumped-storage facilities in which water is pumped to a higher reservoir in times of low power demand and then released through electric turbines into a lower reservoir to generate power in times of high demand. These pumped-storage projects, however, while present in great numbers throughout the U.S., are notorious for not getting off the ground, requiring years of planning and permitting in addition to tremendous expense.
More realistic for California's hydro sector are projects at existing run-of-river dams planned for the near future. These come in the form of modernizations and additions. For example, the turbines at the Don Pedro hydropower station near La Grange, about 100 miles southeast of state capitol Sacramento will be modernized. The projects will increase the plant's generating capacity to 206 MW, a 23% increase from the four units. The work is expected to start this year and last through 2028. Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project Database can learn more by viewing the related project reports.
Also beginning this year, California's Kings River Conservation District (Fresno) will add a 6.3-MW turbine at the Jeff L. Taylor Pine hydropower plant in Fresno County. The turbine addition is expected to be completed in 2027, modestly increasing the facility's 165-MW generating capacity. Subscribers can learn more by viewing the project report.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Database can click here to view reports for all of the projects discussed in this article and click here for the related plant profiles.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
The EIA noted that U.S. hydropower generation fell to 241 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2024, the lowest since at least 2010, but the agency expects hydropower to provide more than 259 billion kWh this year, representing about 6% of overall U.S. power generation.
The EIA analyzes U.S. hydropower generation by region, with the Northwest and Rockies region covering Oregon, Washington, northern California, and other states to the east. The agency's California segment encompasses all of the state with the exception of the extreme northern portion.
Based on the water-supply outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Northwest River Forecast Center (NWRFC), the EIA said it expected precipitation in the Northwest and Rockies region to increase 17% compared with last year, although this is still 4% below the 10-year average. Within the more specific Pacific-Northwest area, the NWRFC forecasts the northern portion, which includes the Columbia River Basin, will have below-normal precipitation, while the southern portion, which includes the Snake River Basin, will have near- to above-normal supply. The water supply conditions at the Dalles Dam on the border between Washington and Oregon reflect conditions of the upstream Columbia River system and was estimated to be about 85% of normal for the period around May 1. Despite these lower conditions, hydropower generation still is expected to grow from last year, testament to its low generation in 2024.
Industrial Info is tracking approximately $1.5 billion worth of hydropower projects that are presently under construction in the U.S., with more than half of this coming from Washington state. Most of the projects being tracked entail upgrades and modernizations to existing facilities, which represent some of the oldest renewable energy plants in the U.S.
A substantial portion of Washington's activity includes the replacement of the motor control center for units 1-8 at the Rock Island hydropower station, located near the geographic center of the state on the Columbia River. The long-term project kicked off in early 2023 and involves the replacement of the motor control center for the eight 52-megawatt (MW) turbines to improve reliability and operational efficiency. The project is expected to be completed in 2030. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can learn more by viewing the project report.
Showcasing the state's low hydro generation in past years, the EIA estimated hydropower generation in the California region will be 28.5 billion kWh, which is 6% less than last year's generation, but still 15% more than 10-year average. Warmer-than-normal temperatures in April led to some early snowmelt in the state. According to the EIA, accumulation from winter precipitation tends to peak by April 1, serving as natural reservoir that melts gradually as temperatures rise, leading to waterflow through the hydropower dams.
The early snowmelt has led most reservoirs in California to be at above-normal levels for this time of year, with the state's two largest reservoirs, Shasta and Oroville, at 113% and 121% of their historical averages, respectively. The EIA reported that as of May, the snowpack conditions were at 81% of normal for the Northern Sierra Nevada, 73% for Central Sierra and 53% for the Southern Sierra portion--not boding well for long-term sustained generation in the state through the year.
While Industrial Info is tracking no hydro projects presently underway in California, billions of dollars' worth are on the planning table, primarily for pumped-storage facilities in which water is pumped to a higher reservoir in times of low power demand and then released through electric turbines into a lower reservoir to generate power in times of high demand. These pumped-storage projects, however, while present in great numbers throughout the U.S., are notorious for not getting off the ground, requiring years of planning and permitting in addition to tremendous expense.
More realistic for California's hydro sector are projects at existing run-of-river dams planned for the near future. These come in the form of modernizations and additions. For example, the turbines at the Don Pedro hydropower station near La Grange, about 100 miles southeast of state capitol Sacramento will be modernized. The projects will increase the plant's generating capacity to 206 MW, a 23% increase from the four units. The work is expected to start this year and last through 2028. Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Project Database can learn more by viewing the related project reports.
Also beginning this year, California's Kings River Conservation District (Fresno) will add a 6.3-MW turbine at the Jeff L. Taylor Pine hydropower plant in Fresno County. The turbine addition is expected to be completed in 2027, modestly increasing the facility's 165-MW generating capacity. Subscribers can learn more by viewing the project report.
Subscribers to Industrial Info's GMI Database can click here to view reports for all of the projects discussed in this article and click here for the related plant profiles.
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
