1.3        Geographical assessment

Hydropower is currently the world's largest renewable source of electricity. More than 150 countries in the world produce hydropower, generating almost 20% of the world’s total electricity output and 6% of its energy. The largest producer is Canada, generating 350 TWh/year, which is more than 13% of the global output of hydropower. Canada is followed by the United States, Norway (where hydro provides virtually all of its electricity), Brazil and China. Hydropower accounts for about 40% of the electricity used by developing countries.

   

Even though hydropower is by far the largest source of renewable electricity generation and represents the third largest provider of total electricity production, little new growth is projected for this sector. Hydropower has reached its potential capacity limit at least in most OECD countries.

While in 1990, 90.8% of electricity produced from renewable sources came from hydro plants, this share decreased to 87.4% in 2000 due to the rapid growth of generation from other renewable sources and the stagnant development of hydropower capacity. The share of hydro in the overall electricity production declined from 15.6% to 13.7% during this time span.

Though it is estimated that the world is currently exploiting only about a quarter of its potential capacity for hydroelectric power, a large percentage of hydropower potential has already been developed both in North America and in Europe. Further potential exists mainly in the developing countries of Africa and Asia. China, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, among others, which are constructing or planning new, large-scale hydroelectric facilities.

Many nations of Central and South America also have plans to expand their already well-established hydroelectric resources. Brazil, Peru, and even oil-rich Venezuela are determined to increase their capacity over the next decade. In the rest of the world - due to public opposition to large hydro schemes - little new development of big dams and reservoirs are expected. It is more likely that small scale and low head hydro capacity will have better chances of growth in the future.