List of Top 10 Hydroelectric Power-Producing Countries

Top 10 Hydroelectric Power-Producing Countries: The world’s top 10 Hydroelectric power-producing countries are China, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Russia, India, Norway, Venezuela, Sweden, and Japan. Around 60% of the hydroelectric power in the world is generated by these countries.

Every country is shifting toward renewable energy sources and Hydro-power is one of them. Due to climate change and the degradation of natural resources, energy through fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources is avoided. Therefore, by using water bodies, especially rivers, electricity is generated. Although, this source is renewable and less damaging to the atmosphere it adversely affects the aquatic ecosystem.

In this article, we will discuss the list of the top 10 hydroelectric power-generating countries in the world, the famous dams in these countries, and the economic and ecological impact.

About Hydroelectric Power Generation

Hydroelectric power is generated by controlling the flow of water in the river to produce electricity. In this process, a dam is constructed to form a reservoir on the river and water is released in a controlled amount through the turbine. The water that flows through the turbine spins the turbine and as a result, electricity is generated through a generator attached to the turbine. This is a renewable source of energy hence a good alternative for the other natural resources. But this process also creates an ecological disturbance by restricting the water flow in the river which causes an increase in toxicity in the fresh river water hence harming the aquatic life.

List of Top 10 Hydroelectric Power-Producing Countries Globally

The table given below lists the top 10 hydroelectric power-producing countries in the World:

Rank	Country	The energy produced (p.a)	Famous projects
1	China	859 billion kWh	Three Gorges Dam
2	Brazil	411 billion kWh	Itaipu Dam
3	United States	373 billion kWh	Grand Coulee Dam
4	Canada	276 billion kWh	Robert-Bourassa Dam
5	Russia	164 billion kWh	Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam
6	India	140 billion kWh	Koyna Hydroelectric Project
7	Norway	124 billion kWh	Kvilldal power plant
8	Venezuela	81 billion kWh	Guri hydroelectric power plant
9	Sweden	78 billion kWh	Harsprånget hydroelectric power plant
10	Japan	74 billion kWh	Kannagawa Hydropower Plant

1. Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: China

China has a huge pool of rivers combined with geographical and climatic advantages which supports China’s capacity to generate hydroelectricity power.

• Every year this country produces around 859 billion kilowatt-hour electricity through its hydroelectric power plants. China owns more than 300 dams which produce highest amount of electricity through water in the world.
• The largest dam in China is the Three Gorges Dam, with 22.5 gigawatts capacity. This dam became function in 2021 since then it has produced 15% of the total electricity produced in China.
• Although China has made remarkable progress with its hydropower electric projects there are many ecological problems faced by the country. Some of them are
  • Degradation of water in the backwater region of the dam.
  • The threat of increase in water-borne diseases.
  • The threat of degradation of biodiversity in the rivers.
  • Increase in water and air pollution in the area around these power plants.

2. Second Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Brazil

The second largest hydroelectric power-producing country in the world is Brazil. Large drives and adequate precipitation and elevation changes make Brazil successful as a hydroelectric power-generating country.

• Every year this country produces around 411 billion kilowatt-hour electricity through its hydroelectric power plant. Around 26 dams in Brazil are used for electricity generation. 26% of the total electricity consumed by Brazil comes from these plants.
• The largest dam in Brazil is Itaipú Dam which has 14,000 megawatts of power. This dam was completed in 1984 since then provided 20% of the total electricity need of Brazil.
• Hydroelectric power plants in Brazil has been a blessing, but it also has certain negative impact on the environment. Some of such impacts are
  • Loss of flora and fauna.
  • Increase in risk of flood in areas nearby the dam.
  • Degradation of aquatic ecosystem and deforestation.

3. Third Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: The United States

The third largest hydroelectric power-producing country is The United states. The most exploited river in the United States for hydroelectric power generation is Columbia River basin.

• Every year this country produces around 373 billion kWh through hydroelectric power plants which produces 30% of total renewable energy in the country. Around 40 pumped-storage hydropower plants and 1,450 conventional are there in USA.
• The largest dam in USA is the Grand Coulee Dam which has the production capacity of 6.5 gigawatts approximately. It is functional since 1942 and produces enough electricity for 2 million household with electricity for one year.
• Hydroelectric power plants in the United states provide major part of electricity consumed by the country but it also has some negative effect on the nature. For example
  • Increase in the death of water species from 5% to 10%
  • Material decay in the reservoir increase the amount of carbon dioxide in water.
  • Increase the sedimentary level causing degradation of water quality

4. Fourth Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Canada

Abundance in water reserves and wide spread landscape makes Canada the fourth largest hydroelectric power-producing country. Around 60% of electricity in the country is produced by hydroelectric power plant.

• Every year this country produces around 276 billion kilowatt-hour electricity through the hydroelectric power plants. Around 475 dams are there in Canada with capacity of 355 terawatt-hour per year.
• The largest dam of Canada is Robert-Bourassa dam with the installed capacity of 5,616 Megawatt. It was completed in 1981 and become operational since 1979.
• Issues faced by Canada due to construction of such a huge number of dam are
  • Restrict development and livelihood of indigenous communities
  • Deforestation and degradation of biodiversity
  • Decrease in availability of fresh river water.

5. Fifth Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Russia

The fifth largest hydroelectric power-producing country in the world is Russia. Hydropower is the most used renewable energy in Russia. Russia is hold 9% of world’s hydropower resource.

• Every year Russia produces 164 billion kilowatt-hour electricity through its hydroelectricity power plant. Around 102 dams are constructed in Russia each has 100 megawatt capacity.
• The largest dam in Russia is Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam with producing capacity of 6400 megawatt, being the largest provider of electricity to Russia.
• Hydroelectricity power in Russia is the most used resource in the country hence causing exploitation of environment in various ways such as
  • Degradation of biodiversity of the country.
  • Contamination in waterbodies resulting rapid decline in mortality of aquatic animal.
  • Decrease in availability of drinkable freshwater coming from rivers.

6. Sixth Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: India

India is the sixth largest hydroelectric power-producing country. Around 26% of hydropower potential of India is exploited till now.

• Every year around 140 billion kilowatt electricity is produced in India through hydroelectric power plant. There are more than 5000 dams in India.
• The largest hydroelectric power project in India is The Koyna Hydroelectric Project with the capacity of 1960 megawatt.
• Hydroelectricity power is a significant mode of energy in India but create various problem in environment such as
  • Loss of flora and fauna.
  • Contamination in waterbodies resulting rapid decline in mortality of aquatic animal.
  • Degradation of aquatic ecosystem and deforestation.

7. Seventh Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Norway

Norway is entirely dependent on renewable energy out which hydropower dominates 92% of total energy produced. Also, Norway is the highest electricity producer in the country.

• Every year around 124 billion kilowatt-hour electricity is produced in Norway. There 1769 hydroelectric power plants in the nation with installed capacity of nearly 136.49 TWh.
• The largest hydroelectric power plant in Norway is Kvilldal power plant with installed capacity of 1,240 MW. Annual production of electricity by this plant is 3,131.2 GWh. This hydroelectric power plant is in use since 1981.
• Hydroelectricity power is a significant mode of energy in Norway but create various problem in environment such as
  • Loss of flora and fauna.
  • Increase in risk of flood in areas nearby the dam.
  • Degradation of aquatic ecosystem and deforestation.

8. Eighth Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Venezuela

The geographical diversity and climate support the electric production through hydropower plants in Venezuela. The country’s total electricity has 64% of electricity produced by hydropower plant.

• Every year around 81 billion kilowatt-hour energy is produced in Venezuela. There are around 9 hydropower plant with the capacity of 17666.0 MW.
• One of the hydroelectric power plant Simón Bolívar Hydroelectric Plant Guri Dam which has electricity production capacity of 47,000 GWh annually. This plant start functioning in 1978.
• Hydroelectricity power is a significant mode of energy in Venezuela but create various problem in environment such as
  • Loss of flora and fauna.
  • Contamination in waterbodies resulting rapid decline in mortality of aquatic animal.
  • Decrease in availability of drinkable freshwater coming from rivers.

9. Ninth Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Sweden

Sweden is the ninth largest hydroelectric power-producing country in the world. Hydropower hold 43% of share in country’s total electricity production.

• Every year around 78 billion kilowatt-hour electricity is produced in Sweden through hydroelectric power plants. There are more than 46 hydropower station in Sweden, enough to meet the countries need.
• The largest hydroelectric power plant in Sweden is Harsprånget with a capacity of 450 MW. There four unit in this plant that is used for electricity generation. It was commissioned in 1980.
• Sweden uses the hydropower plants as a mainstream renewable energy source but this has a negative impact on the environment of Sweden such as
  • Contamination in waterbodies resulting rapid decline in mortality of aquatic animal.
  • Decrease in availability of drinkable freshwater coming from rivers
  • Increase in sedimentation in water hence effecting the composition of the freshwater.

10. Tenth Largest Hydroelectric Power-Producing Country: Japan

Japan is the tenth largest hydroelectric power-producing country in world. Hydroelectricity is one of the most important renewable source of energy in Japan.

• Every year around 74 billion kilowatt-hour electricity is produced in Japan. There are 1.76 thousand hydropower plant in Japan.
• The largest hydroelectric power plant in Japan is is Kurobe Dam with a capacity of 335 MW. There four unit in this plant that is used for electricity generation. It was commissioned in 1980
• Japan uses the hydropower plants as second most consumed renewable energy source but this has a negative impact on the environment of Japan. For example
  • Contamination in waterbodies as the saturation of Carbon dioxide increase in the stagnant water.
  • Decrease in availability of drinkable freshwater coming from rivers
  • Deforestation and degradation of biodiversity

Conclusion: Top 10 Hydroelectric Power-Producing Countries

Hydroelectric power is the most used renewable source of electricity in the world. Now, when the whole world is trying to shift to the renewable source for energy production, hydropower is the cost efficient alternative. There are more than lakh dams in the world contributing to the production. But, excessive exploitation of this resource has adverse effect also. Some of them are damage to aquatic biodiversity, lack of availability of fresh and clean water in river, deforestation etc. Also, as these dams are exposed to high water pressure, there is a huge risk of collapsing. Hence need a regular monitoring by the concerned authorities. Assuming that water is available in abundance is wrong because these hydroelectric power plants work on rivers so it is very important to maintain the health of the rivers all-over the globe. Along with that, initiative to be taken to protect the environment from the excessive usage of the river basins.

People Also Read:

• Complete List of Hydroelectric Power Plants in India
• Hydroelectric Power
• Top 10 Largest Dams in the World
• Why Environmental aspects must be looked into before building dams?

FAQ on Top 10 Hydroelectric Power-Producing Countries

Which is the largest dam in the world?

Kariba Dam in Zambia is the largest dam in the world in terms of reservoir size.

Which country has the greatest potential to produce hydroelectric power in the world?

China is the country has the greatest potential to produce hydroelectric power in the world

What are the renewable sources of energy?

Solar, wind, and water are the renewable source of energy

What are the types of hydropower plant?

There are three types of hydropower plant namely, impoundment, diversion, and pumped storage.

Which type of hydroelectric power plant is most popular?

Impoundment facility is the most popular type of hydroelectric power plant which consist of turbine and generator and dam.