Turkey has emerged as the leader in hydropower capacity expansion in Europe for 2024, according to the latest data from the International Hydropower Association (IHA). The country added 241 megawatts (MW) of new hydropower capacity over the past year, surpassing all other European nations. This increase reflects Turkey’s ongoing efforts to expand its renewable energy portfolio and decrease its carbon emissions.
Following Turkey, Portugal ranked second with an addition of 160 MW, while Austria contributed 118 MW, Germany 63 MW, and Norway 53 MW in hydropower capacity growth. Despite this expansion, Turkey holds the second highest total installed hydropower capacity in Europe, with 32,770 MW, just behind Norway’s 33,909 MW.
The IHA report highlights the ongoing opportunities in Turkey for developing new conventional hydropower projects and expanding existing facilities. The Turkish government has prioritized hydropower in its energy policy for the last twenty years, offering substantial support for new projects. Currently, nearly 600 MW of conventional hydropower projects are under construction in Turkey.
In 2023, hydropower accounted for 21.5% of Turkey’s electricity generation, as reported by the Turkish Energy Ministry. As of May 2025, there were 771 operational hydropower plants in the country. Other countries in the top ten for installed hydropower capacity include Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, France, Germany, and Sweden.
On a global scale, hydropower capacity increased by 24.6 gigawatts (GW) in 2024, comprising 16.2 GW from conventional hydropower and 8.4 GW from pumped storage. Hydropower remains the largest source of renewable electricity worldwide, contributing 14.3% of the total global power supply and supporting grid flexibility in over 150 countries.
China continues to lead the world in hydropower development, adding 14.4 GW of new capacity in 2024, with a total installed capacity of 421 GW. Brazil and the United States follow with 110 GW and 102 GW, respectively. The growth of hydropower worldwide underscores its essential role in meeting renewable energy goals and addressing climate change.
