Hydroelectric power

This factfile details the principles of hydroelectric power

Hydropower is by far the most significant renewable resource of energy exploited to date.

According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) ‘World Energy Outlook 2006’, hydropower output worldwide is projected to increase from 2,809 TWh in 2004 to 4,749 TWh by 2030, representing an increase of 2% year to year on average. Against a projected growth in global electricity generation of 2.6% on average to 2030 practically doubling from 17,408 TWh in 2004 to 33,750 TWh, the share of other non-hydro renewable sources in total electricity generation is predicted to increase from 2% now to almost 7% by 2030.

This anticipated increase in the use of other renewable resources occurs largely in OECD countries.

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