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Owners/Operators
The United States has been generating electricity from hydropower since the 1880s. In its early years, the construction and management of hydropower was fostered by the federal government. The Bureau of Reclamation became involved in 1902, and soon after, Congress began authorizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to build hydro facilities across the country. Today, conventional hydropower is owned and operated by a variety of entities, such as the federal government, public power, and private producers.
Source: EIA Form 860, API Dashboard
Source: ORNL, Existing Hydropower Assets 2023
Renewables Capacity (MW)
Hydropower was America’s 1st source of renewable electricity, long before the growth of wind and solar. The flexibility and dispatchability of hydropower also complements the expansion of variable renewables, creating a more reliable and resilient grid system.
Source: EIA Form 860, API Dashboard
Renewables Generation (MWh)
Today, hydropower still generates about 28% of total renewable electricity. In 2022, conventional hydropower generated enough electricity to power 25.6 million homes. Despite yearly fluctuations in generation, hydropower has remained, in the long run, a reliable source of power across the country.
Source: EIA Form 860, API Dashboard
Avoided Emissions
In 2022, conventional hydropower generation avoided emitting 180.6 million metric tons (MMTs) of CO2 equivalent (CO2eq), or 48 coal-fired power plants worth of CO2eq in one year. It would take 50,231 windmills to offset the same amount of carbon emissions that conventional hydropower does in a year.
Source: EIA Form 923, API Dashboard, EPA National Marginal Emissions Factor
