Madhumitha Jaganmohan
Research expert covering climate and environmental sustainability
Get in touch with us nowLoad factor of electricity from hydropower in the United Kingdom (UK) 2010-2021
The load factor for electricity generation from both small scale and large-scale hydropower in UK has fluctuated since 2010. In 2021, the load factor of small-scale hydro decreased from the previous year to 37.7 percent. Load factors were typically lower for large scale hydro, except in 2015. Load factors are the ratio of how much electricity was produced as a share of the total generating capacity.
Role of hydropower in the energy mix
In 2020, hydropower accounted for approximately 4.5 percent of renewable electricity generation in the UK, generating 5,496 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Most of this was produced by large scale hydro. However, generation from small scale hydro has increased significantly since 2010.
Scottish hydropower
With its high levels of rainfall, mountains and lakes, Scotland unsurprisingly accounts for more than 80 percent of the hydroelectric resources in the UK. The cumulative capacity of hydropower in Scotland reached 1,666 megawatts in 2021. In comparison, the installed capacity in England was just 45 megawatts in the same year.
Role of hydropower in the energy mix
In 2020, hydropower accounted for approximately 4.5 percent of renewable electricity generation in the UK, generating 5,496 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Most of this was produced by large scale hydro. However, generation from small scale hydro has increased significantly since 2010.
Scottish hydropower
With its high levels of rainfall, mountains and lakes, Scotland unsurprisingly accounts for more than 80 percent of the hydroelectric resources in the UK. The cumulative capacity of hydropower in Scotland reached 1,666 megawatts in 2021. In comparison, the installed capacity in England was just 45 megawatts in the same year.
