At the time of National Hydropower Association’s (NHA) founding in 1983, the conventional capacity of U.S. hydropower was 68.93 GW. Since then, the total generating capacity of hydropower grew to 80.58 GW, a 16.9% increase that now encompasses 2,252 hydropower plants producing 28.7% of the United States’ renewable energy and 6.2% of all electricity in 2022.

While NHA and hydro has grown over the years, the Association’s mission of championing water power as America’s premier renewable energy source has remained the same. Part of advocating for hydropower involves celebrating its history, a reoccurring theme best embodied in the dedicated Hydro Heritage Center, which returns this year to Clean Currents 2025 (October 14-17) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The Hydro Heritage Center is a space where the hydropower industry can celebrate its rich history. To help ensure the Center is robust and engaging, NHA is looking for contributions of artifacts, photographs, videos, or anything telling a story about either a project or the people who helped electrify the nation with hydropower.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Contributions must be brought or shipped to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center – home of Clean Currents 2025 – and be removed at the end of the event.

Please let Marla Barnes (marla@hydro.org) know if you will participate.