Türkiye recorded the highest increase in hydropower capacity across Europe last year, adding 241 MW, according to the International Hydropower Association’s (IHA) latest World Hydropower Outlook 2025. This milestone reinforces Türkiye’s position as Europe’s second largest hydropower market, with total installed capacity reaching 33 GW.
The IHA report highlights hydropower’s global role as the dominant source of renewable electricity, accounting for 14.3% of the world’s power generation and contributing significantly to grid stability in over 150 countries. By the end of 2024, global installed hydropower capacity rose to 1,443 GW, with an annual addition of 24.6 GW—16.2 GW from conventional hydropower and 8.4 GW from pumped storage systems.
Türkiye’s investment in hydropower aligns with its strategy to reduce dependence on imported energy and fulfill its climate objectives by expanding domestic renewable energy production. The country continues to prioritize hydropower as a cornerstone of its energy policy, benefiting from consistent governmental support over the past two decades. Türkiye also maintains an active project pipeline, with nearly 600 MW of new hydropower capacity currently under construction.
Regionally, Portugal, Austria, Germany, and Norway rounded out Europe’s top five for hydropower additions, installing 160 MW, 118 MW, 63 MW, and 53 MW respectively last year. Norway remains the continent’s leader in overall installed hydropower capacity at 34 GW, followed closely by Türkiye.
On a global scale, China continues to dominate with 421 GW of hydropower capacity, followed by Brazil with 110 GW and the United States with 102 GW. Canada, Russia, India, Japan, Norway, Türkiye, and Vietnam also rank among the world’s largest hydropower producers.
Hydropower plants worldwide generated 4,578 TWh of electricity last year. The highest output came from South America with 725 TWh, trailed by Europe at 680 TWh and North and Central America at 637 TWh. In East Asia and the Pacific, hydropower production reached 1,804 TWh, with the region adding 15 GW of new capacity—including 8 GW from pumped storage—bringing its total to 577 GW.
As Türkiye continues to tap into its hydropower potential, opportunities remain for both new conventional projects and the expansion of existing facilities, strengthening the country’s role in the global transition to sustainable energy.
https://renewables.az/en/news/t-rkiye-leads-europe-with-highest-rise-in-hydropower-capacity