Small hydropower: a simple and effective solution

Hydro power, in itself, is one of the principal renewable sources.

Due to environmental concerns and since the water potential has already been significantly exploited, only small amounts of new hydro plants are expected. SHP (Small Hydro Power), with a worldwide potential of 217 GW, is an important ingredient in the future energy mix. The value is not so much in the energy contribution that SHP can give to the national electricity needs, but rather in the valorisation of the water resource at the local level.
SHP represents a mode of exploitation of a renewable energy source, which otherwise would be dispersed, with a very low environmental impact.

Small hydropower potential: a resource to be exploited

Data globally and on individual continents

Worldwide

217GW

potential

36%

developed so far

Europe

38,943GW

potential

18,684GW

developed so far

Asia

120,614GW

potential

50,729GW

developed so far

Americas

44,162GW

potential

7,863GW

developed so far

Africa

12,197GW

potential

0,580GW

developed so far

Oceania

1,206GW

potential

0,447GW

developed so far

The main advantages of SHP are the following:

  • take advantage of the smaller water resources available in many sites;
  • their installation is very simple;
  • need a limited water resource to produce electricity;
  • produce electricity near the users through distributed generation;
  • they are not bulky and relatively simple to transport.