Hydro Activity in the last few years

According to the International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) latest available figures Europe has the highest installed capacity of hydroelectric generation in the world. The report says that the EU accounts for about 260 GW of the estimated global total of 860-950 GW of hydro generation.

East-Asia has been the focus of much attention because the region is rapidly developing its hydro resources and is expected to become the region with the greatest level of deployment within the next three years. China, the biggest country in East Asia, now exceeds the United States as the country with the highest installed capacity.

Next to the rapid developments in East Asia, South America is also developing its hydroelectric generation rapidly. In addition, IHA estimates that there are 127 to 150 GW of pumped storage capacity globally, and it is anticipated that the market for pumped storage will increase by 60% over the next five years.

Large hydropower grew modestly in terms of percentage the last few years. While hydro equipment orders slipped in 2009 and 2010 from 2008, pre-orders for 2011 have risen to fuel expectations that average orders for the 2010s will top those in the 2000s, REN-21 believes.

The REN-21 report states that in 2009 a further 31 GW of hydro capacity was added which, compared to other renewable energy sources, was second only to that of wind energy. Total investment in hydropower in that year was around US$40–45 billion.

In developed markets, such as those in Europe — where many hydro plants are 30 or 40 years old — activity has focused on relicensing and repowering, as well as adding generation to existing dams, the report concludes. This trend is clearly supported by the market activity seen in 2009 and 2010, and, several markets, such as Norway, Germany, Austria and Switzerland are emerging as local hotspots.

Source : http://www.tomorrowisgreener.com/hydro-activity-in-the-last-few-years/