15% of global electricity is generated from Hydropower

Hydro energy, predominantly harnessed through hydroelectric power plants, is derived from the immense, kinetic energy of flowing or falling water. It is considered to be one of the oldest and most wide-spread forms of clean, green, low-carbon energy sources available to us. Its usage for power generation dates back to ancient civilizations, highlighting the ingenious ways humans have utilized natural resources throughout history.

To harness hydro energy, a typical facility includes a dam constructed on a large river that has substantial drops in elevation. The dam stores vast quantities of water, and the release of this stored water from the reservoir drives turbines which, in turn, generate electricity. It's these turbines that transform the kinetic energy of the flowing water into mechanical energy, which an electrical generator then converts into electricity. This process exemplifies the extraordinary synergies between natural resources and human-made technologies.

The advantages of hydro energy are manifold, and it starts with an impressively low carbon intensity. Averaging just 24 gCO2eq/kWh, hydro energy is, on a scale from coal at 820 gCO2eq/kWh down to wind at 11 gCO2eq/kWh, one of the least carbon-intensive sources of energy. This low-carbon intensity means that hydro power is a greener energy source when compared to fossil fuels, contributing significantly less in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Another significant advantage of hydro power is how widely it has been adopted across the globe. In fact, hydro energy currently generates 14.51% of all electricity consumed globally. This widespread utilization of hydro power clearly speaks to its effectiveness as a low-carbon, sustainable energy source, alongside other important sources such as nuclear, wind, and solar.

In several countries, the use of hydroelectric power is extremely high. For example, in Iceland, a country blessed with abundant water resources, 71% of electricity is generated from hydro. In Norway, that figure is even greater at 89%, demonstrating the country's move away from carbon-intensive energy sources towards more sustainable forms. In Bhutan, a mountainous country with a rich network of running water bodies, an impressive 100% of electricity is generated from hydro.

Moreover, in Canada, where sustainable energy practices are a national priority, 59% of electricity production comes from hydro energy. Likewise, in Paraguay, hydro accounts for a staggering 99% of generated electricity. These examples underscore the global shift towards hydroelectricity, which alongside solar, wind, and nuclear energy forms a quartet of dominant, low-carbon energy sources for the future.