Category: <span>Essential Publications</span>

Hydropower no longer produces cheaper energy than solar and wind, IRENA said.

We always hear from hydropower industry, that energy of water is the cheapest to produce among all low-carbon generation technologies. However, from now on this would be a false statement. Recently we reported that, according to International Renewable Energy Agency   hydropower installed in 2021 constituted less than 8% of all …

Makhoul Dam in Iraq is threatening two World Heritage properties in one shot

The revived project of a mega-dam on Tigris river threatens to drown Ashur Historic heritage site upstream and to cause major damage to Mesopotamia Marshes nature heritage site downstream. Two river-protection NGOs prepared a report pointing to risks and suggesting alternatives. The Iraqi government is intensifying its efforts to complete …

Hydropower installed in 2021 around the world, revisited

HYDRO-NO LONGER THE ENGINE FOR ENERGY TRANSITION Source: https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/Apr/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2022. Graph by RwB. In April IRENA issued new Renewable Capacity Statistics: Hydropower net additions (without pumped storage) are preliminarily assessed in 2021 as 18.9 GW, which is only 7% of global growth in renewables estimated as 257 GW (roughly the same …

The role of hydro in energy revolution continues to decline, but damage to river ecosystems persists

Source: https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/Apr/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2022 HYDRO-NO LONGER THE ENGINE FOR ENERGY TRANSITION Hydropower net additions (without pumped storage) are preliminarily assessed in 2021 as 18.9 GW, which is only 7% of global growth in renewables estimated as 257 GW (roughly the same additions as in 2022). Hydropower has shown the slowest growth (2%) …

Hydropower Policy BRIef: Part V. WELCOME THE PUMPED STORAGE…(and CONCLUSION)

(Full Contents of Hydropower Policy BRIef here) As for the pumped storage hydro (PSH), much hyped as a remedy for grid stability and flexibility, which also usually has less destructive footprint, only 1633 MW were put in operation in 2020, despite all hopes trumpeted by hydropower industry and personally by …

Hydropower Policy BRIef: Part IV. “PARADE OF THE CHAMPIONS”

(Full Contents of Hydropower Policy BRIef here) 2020 HYDROPOWER EXPANSION IN SELECTED COUNTRIES Eurasia            CHINA Almost two thirds of globally installed hydropower (12.5GW) was added in China, where hydropower capacity reached 370 GW, wind power – 280 GW and photovoltaic – 250 GW. In 2020 most of increase accounts …