Global installed hydropower capacity rose to 1,469 GW at the end of last year, with pumped storage hydropower marking a key milestone by exceeding 200 GW for the first time, the International Hydropower Association said Wednesday.
According to the 2026 World Hydropower Outlook, 28 GW of new hydropower capacity was commissioned last year.
The hydropower sector has entered a new strategic era amid growing efforts to strengthen energy security and sovereignty, it said.
Last year marked a milestone, particularly for pumped storage hydropower (PSH) projects. Global PSH capacity exceeded 200 GW for the first time in 2025, rising to 201 GW as 11.7 GW of new projects came online.
The increase represented the highest annual expansion of pumped storage capacity on record, the association said.
Hydropower plants generated a total of 4,095 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity last year, supplying approximately 14% of global electricity demand. This output was equivalent to the combined generation of wind and solar power.
Hydropower use also helped avoid 2.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
While, global hydropower project pipeline reached 1,127 GW, with more than 400 GW already under construction.
- Data centers and storage drive hydropower growth
The report said pumped storage capacity is expected to double over the next decade, while rapidly rising electricity demand from data centers is creating new growth opportunities for the sector.
Data center electricity consumption, estimated at 415 TWh in 2024, is projected to increase to 945 TWh by 2030, with hydropower expected to play a critical role due to its ability to provide reliable low-carbon electricity.
The report showed that China maintained its global leadership last year by adding 4.7 GW of conventional hydropower and 7.5 GW of pumped storage capacity, while India overtook Russia to become the world's fifth-largest hydropower producer.
Türkiye also secured its position as a major hydropower player, with installed capacity reaching 32,294 MW, making it the second-largest hydropower market in Europe after Norway.
The report emphasized that hydropower is no longer solely a source of electricity generation but has become a cornerstone of modern grid flexibility through services such as frequency control, voltage support and black-start capabilities.
By Humeyra Ayaz
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
