Global Hydropower Generation

Updated on 08.25.2022

High School

Life and earth sciences

5 min read

Production from hydroelectric dams is highly dependent on the pluviometric conditions, which influence the storage in dams and the flow rate of major rivers. Production dropped significantly in 2021, in particular in Brazil, which continues to be a drought-stricken country. On a global level, hydroelectricity is by far the leading , accounting for 15% of the world mix. China is by far the leading producer, ahead of Canada, Brazil and the United States.

Global Hydropower Production (in terawatt-hours – TWh)

Source: BP Statistical Review 2022
Country	2020	2021	Share in Global Hydropower Generation
China	1321,7	1300,0	30,4%
Canada	386,5	380,8	8,9%
Brazil	396,4	362,8	8,5%
US	282,8	257,7	6,0%
Russia	212,4	214,5	5,0%
India	163,7	160,3	3,8%
Norway	140,7	143,1	3,3%
Japan	77,4	77,6	1,8%
Vietnam	73,4	75,9	1,8%
Sweden	72,1	71,5	1,7%
Venezuela	61,3	61,2	1,4%
Colombia	49,8	59,9	1,4%
France	61,2	58,0	1,4%
Turkey	78,1	55,7	1,3%
Italy	45,7	43,1	1,0%
Austria	42,0	42,9	1,0%
Total World	4 346,0	4 273,8	100%