The largest global consumers of hydropower include China, Brazil, and Canada. Hydropower consumption in these countries totaled 11.5 exajoules, four exajoules, and 3.4 exajoules, respectively. Several provinces in Canada produce over 90 percent of their energy through hydropower. Due to plentiful and vast water bodies, Canada’s hydroelectricity potential is still much higher than its current consumption of hydro energy. Many of Canada’s hydropower facilities were constructed prior to 1990 and thus major rehabilitation and modernization of its power plants are essential.
Global hydropower
Hydropower consumption has generally increased over the last decades, reaching 40.3 exajoules in 2021. It is one of the leading renewable sources worldwide due to its flexibility and consistency. Hydropower has long been capable of meeting base load electricity requirements and can meet peak and unexpected demand. There are three main types of hydropower stations. Run of river stations generate electricity through energy derived from river flow, reservoirs generate power by releasing stored water, and pumped storage facilities pump stored water back up to a higher reservoir to be re-released.
Leading countries by hydropower consumption worldwide in 2023
(in exajoules)
This report was previously published by BP.
Figures refer to gross generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply. According to the source, the data was converted on the basis of thermal equivalence: the amount of fuel required by thermal power stations to produce the indicated electricity output.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Energy Institute. (June 20, 2024). Leading countries by hydropower consumption worldwide in 2023 (in exajoules) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 09, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/265570/top-countries-by-hydropower-consumption/
Energy Institute. "Leading countries by hydropower consumption worldwide in 2023 (in exajoules)." Chart. June 20, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/265570/top-countries-by-hydropower-consumption/
Energy Institute. (2024). Leading countries by hydropower consumption worldwide in 2023 (in exajoules). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 09, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/265570/top-countries-by-hydropower-consumption/
Energy Institute. "Leading Countries by Hydropower Consumption Worldwide in 2023 (in Exajoules)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/265570/top-countries-by-hydropower-consumption/
Energy Institute, Leading countries by hydropower consumption worldwide in 2023 (in exajoules) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/265570/top-countries-by-hydropower-consumption/ (last visited December 09, 2024)
Leading countries by hydropower consumption worldwide in 2023 (in exajoules) [Graph], Energy Institute, June 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/265570/top-countries-by-hydropower-consumption/