Report: Global Hydroelectric Capacity to Double by 2050, but Could Speed Up if Support Strengthens

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Global hydroelectric power is predicted to double in capacity by 2050, and that target could be achieved earlier if government entities and world-bank organizations assist hydropower development in places where it is underutilized, according to a report from the World Energy Council, presented at the World Hydropower Congress in Beijing.

New technologies being developed to produce hydroelectric generation could further this clean energy now and in the future. The same technology could provide a better understanding of management, energy storage, freshwater storage, and the mitigation of flooding and drought periods.

Regions with a high potential for growth are in China, India, Brazil and Southeast Asia, according to the report, and include schemes in which water can be stored in reservoirs, as well as the development of run-of-river hydropower plants.

Hydropower development also can help when partnered with other renewable energy types, such as solar and wind, to optimize their contribution to the grid by helping to balance the intermittent resources.

Globally, the use of hydropower increased more than 5% between 2009 and 2010, according to a report by the Worldwatch Institute (Washington, D.C.), reaching a record 3,427 terawatt hours, or about 16% of global electric consumption. China leads this category with producing 721 terawatt-hours.

The Asian-Pacific region generated 32% of global hydropower generation, with China's capacity exceeding the combined capacities of the U.S., Canada and Brazil. China as a country has a goal of producing 430 gigawatts (GW) from hydropower by 2020, with investments in renewable energy in the country set to continue over the next decade as a key focus area.

Globally, Industrial Info is tracking 6,130 capital hydro projects worth more than $1.2 trillion in total investment value. Asia leads in this category, with 3,794 projects worth $691.5 million, followed by South America, North America, Europe and Africa. Additionally, Industrial Info is tracking 950 hydro maintenance projects valued at $2.74 billion, with Europe and Asia leading in this category followed by North America, South America and Africa.

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