Despite the appeal and benefits of small hydropower, much of the world’s potential remains untapped, with global installed small hydro capacity (up to 10 MW) growing only 1% from 2019 to 2022.
This is one key finding of the World Small Hydropower Development Report 2022, released by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The report, published every three years, provides a comprehensive global analysis of small hydropower projects (SHP) and shows small hydro’s significant untapped potential for supporting sustainable industrial development.
The global installed SHP capacity is about 79 GW and the total known potential is about 221.7 GW, meaning 64% of the world’s SHP potential is untapped, the report said. SHP represents about 1% of tot total electricity installed capacity of the countries in the report and 6% of their total installed hydropower capacity.
Since 2019, installed SHP capacity grew nearly 23% in Africa, 11% in the Americas, 4% in Europe and 3% in Oceania. In terms of installed capacity, Europe increased by 734 MW, the Americas by 698 MW and Africa by 134 MW.
As of 2020, over 700 million people globally still lacked access to electricity, predominantly in rural areas, and UNIDO Director General Gerd Müller said, “In the face of this challenge, it is especially critical to continue to collect and share knowledge about the various renewable energy technologies. Small hydropower is one such solution. It has long played a key part in providing access to sustainable and reliable electricity around the world. Small hydropower is a simple, adaptable and low-cost technology, which makes it particularly suitable for remote and marginalized communities.
“Over 60% of global small hydropower potential remains untapped. There are still vast opportunities across the globe to use it for the benefit of local communities and the planet. In order to support policymakers, communities, potential developers and other stakeholders interested in developing small hydropower projects, UNIDO has partnered with the International Centre on Small Hydro Power to launch the World Small Hydropower Development Report.”
The WSHDR provides in-depth, country-specific data on SHPs. The report covers all facets of SHPs and provides insights into operational, planned and potential projects, including the associated costs, financing mechanisms and conditions favoring SHP development. The report also offers real-life stories and case studies illustrating the successful implementation of SHPs. WSHPDR 2022 presents 12 case studies shed light on the transformative impact of carefully planned and developed SHP projects on the day-to-day lives of communities, particularly those in rural areas.
WSHPDR 2022 includes thematic sections exploring both the impact of SHP and the influence on it of gender empowerment, youth involvement and climate change.
The report also unveils the first-ever Global SHP Database, providing detailed information on SHPs worldwide. This database serves as a comprehensive source of information on the current status and future potential of SHP development.
