Renewables 2022 report: sluggishness in hydropower

The Renewable 2022 report forecasts that hydropower will dominate the global renewable energy mix until 2027.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

The Renewable 2022 report forecasts that hydropower will dominate the global renewable energy mix until 2027.

Limited growth

The Renewable 2022 report comes from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Renewable energies will only become the main source of electricity after 2027. As a result, they will overtake coal in electricity generation by early 2025.

According to the Renewable report, the share of renewable energies will increase by 10 percentage points to reach 38% in 2027. As a result, the share of coal, natural gas, nuclear power and oil in electricity generation will decline. However, growth inhydroelectricity, bioenergy, geothermal and solar power remains limited.

However, dispatchable energy, especially solar power, plays a vital role in the world’s power systems. Hydropower is not very predictable, ranging from 17GW to 33GW depending on commissioning lead times. The three major markets – China, India and Turkey – are characterized by volatile forecasts.

Offsetting fossil fuels

According to the Renewable report, these three markets for the period 2022-2027 represent a forecast 141GW. This scenario is slightly lower than deployments over the past five years. In an accelerated scenario, this increase remains limited to just 40GW.

However, the Renewable report states that total renewable electricity production is set to increase by around 60%. It would then reach more than 12,400 TWh. Hydropower remains the main source of renewable electricity generation over the forecast period.

However, its capacity is growing less rapidly than that of wind and solar power. Renewable energies will account for almost 40% of global electricity production in 2027. This will compensate for the declining share of coal, natural gas and nuclear power.

A TEHA-Enel report highlights that 86% of Italy's hydropower concessions are expiring, threatening key investments and the country's energy security.
Hull Street Energy has signed an agreement to acquire thirteen hydroelectric dams from Consumers Energy, totalling 132 MW, further consolidating its position in the North American hydro sector.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is now fully operational, with a planned capacity of 5,150 MW, marking a key step in the country’s energy deployment.
Sweden's Minesto begins a SEK25mn ($2.26mn) tidal microgrid project in the Faroe Islands, targeting integration with local applications such as electric vehicle charging and industrial processes.
The Grand Renaissance Dam, set to be inaugurated in September, aims to produce 5,000 megawatts and could generate up to $1 billion per year for Ethiopia, according to the government.
A principle agreement between Paris and Brussels opens the way to reforming the legal framework of hydroelectric concessions in France, ending a deadlock that lasted over ten years.
Swedish company Eco Wave Power has completed testing of its technology at the Port of Los Angeles, reaching a tangible milestone with the launch of its floaters to generate electricity from waves.
Georgia Power continues technical upgrades at several hydroelectric plants in Georgia, with approval from the public regulator, to ensure the reliability of the state’s electricity grid.
A landmark auction in Brazil allocates 815 MW to medium-sized hydroelectric plants, with grid injection scheduled from 2030.
ISDN Holdings strengthens its position in Indonesia by acquiring a majority stake in PT Funda, integrating hydropower capabilities across the entire project lifecycle and consolidating its renewable energy investments.
The Port of Suao becomes the first site in Taiwan open to commercial testing of wave energy production, following the allocation of Lot C to I-KE International Ocean Energy Co., partner of Eco Wave Power.
With active projects across four continents and strong liquidity, Eco Wave Power accelerates its expansion strategy while absorbing a rise in operational costs in H1 2025.
Eco Wave Power has completed the full installation of its wave energy system at the Port of Los Angeles, paving the way for initial operational tests scheduled for September.
A 60-gigawatt hydropower dam under construction in Tibet will increase national capacity by 16%, with an estimated cost of $167bn supported by a new state entity.
Eco Wave Power has completed the installation of floaters for its pilot project in Los Angeles, marking a strategic milestone in the validation and commercialisation of its wave energy technology in the US market.
Brookfield Renewable announces an investment of up to $1 billion to increase its stake in the Colombian energy company Isagen to 38%. Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is also co-investing to raise its stake to 15%.
Beijing has launched the construction of a colossal dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo, with $167.1bn in public investment, drawing attention from New Delhi and downstream states.
Brookfield and Google formalise an unprecedented framework agreement to supply up to 3,000 MW of hydropower, with initial contracts worth more than $3 billion for facilities in Pennsylvania.
Eco Wave Power Global AB announces the completion of floaters manufacturing for its first American pilot plant, marking a major step towards the imminent deployment of wave energy at the Port of Los Angeles.
Eco Wave Power Global AB joins a consortium funded with €2.45mn by the European Interreg Atlantic Area programme to accelerate commercial implementation of wave energy technologies in Atlantic coastal regions.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.