Global hydropower generation rose sharply in 2024, increasing by 10% to 4,578TWh, according to the 2025 World Hydropower Outlook released today by the International Hydropower Association (IHA). The rise follows a rebound from drought-affected lows in previous years.
Total global hydropower capacity grew by 24.6GW, including 16.2GW of conventional hydropower and 8.4GW of pumped storage hydropower (PSH). Global PSH capacity rose 5% to 189GW.
The global development pipeline for hydropower now exceeds 1,075GW – comprising around 600GW of PSH and 475GW of conventional hydropower – an increase of roughly 8% from the previous year. Most of the capacity currently under construction is expected to be operational by 2030.
Despite the positive trends, the IHA warns that the sector could fall 60–70GW short of the target set by the International Renewable Energy Agency’s “tripling renewables” scenario for 2030. The IHA stresses that accelerated permitting and investment are needed to close this gap.
“Encouragingly, this year’s World Hydropower Outlook shows that global new capacity is accelerating after several years of stagnation,” said Malcolm Turnbull, IHA President. “With increased solar and wind power on the grid, hydropower plays an increasingly vital role in the global energy transition. But markets alone won’t deliver what is needed. Continued momentum will require bold policy action, including reforms to reward hydropower’s multiple benefits, and faster permitting. The only resource we lack is time.”
Eddie Rich, IHA CEO, said: “As the renewable energy market continues to grow, pumped storage hydropower is playing an increasingly vital role in ensuring system flexibility and stability. At the same time, for many regions, increased conventional hydropower remains the priority to achieving global climate and development goals. In the face of growing climate volatility, we must build not just clean energy systems, but resilient ones. Water, wind and sun, gets the job done!”
Hydropower generation regional highlights
China remained the leading developer, adding 14.4GW of new capacity in 2024 – more than half of which was pumped storage. The country is on track to exceed its 120GW PSH target by 2030.
Africa added over 4.5GW of new hydropower capacity in 2024, more than doubling the total added in the previous three years. Hydropower provides 20% of the continent’s electricity, though only 11% of its estimated 600GW potential is currently in use.
Europe saw strong rainfall push hydropower generation to 680TWh, the highest level in a decade. A PSH pipeline of 52.9GW is in development across the continent, including 3GW under construction and 6.7GW approved.
South America added just 306MW of capacity in 2024, but hydropower still supplies about 45% of the region’s electricity. Rising demand from ports, data centres and industry is expected to drive future investment.
Sector impact
Hydropower accounted for 14.3% of global electricity supply in 2024 and supported energy system flexibility in over 150 countries. The global hydropower workforce totalled more than 2.3 million jobs.
According to the IHA, hydropower generation in 2024 avoided an estimated 2.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions compared to gas-fired power.
Top countries for new hydropower capacity in 2024 were China, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Bhutan and Pakistan.
The 2025 World Hydropower Outlook will be launched at London Climate Action Week during an event hosted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the British Hydropower Association and the Global Renewables Alliance.
An international forum on pumped storage will also take place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris this September, with attendance expected from senior policymakers and energy leaders.
For more information, visit: www.hydropower.org.
