What are the countries that use hydroelectric energy?

As the world attempts to stall climate change by cutting emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, energy from renewable sources has become an integral part of global strategies. But hydroelectric power, despite being an important energy source in many nations around the world, is often overlooked. read more

The United States leads the world in hydroelectric dams, mostly due to its high level of technology and plentiful supply of rivers. Canada, Brazil, and China also produce a large amount of hydroelectricity. Africa and Southeast Asia are not able to produce much hydroelectricity, likely due to a lack of money and technology. read more

Asia is also the region where hydropower is growing most rapidly, according to the latest available figures, as reported in BP’s 2011 Statistical Review of World Energy. Globally, electricity from hydropower grew by 5.3 percent between 2009 and 2010, with new developments in the Asia-Pacific region accounting for the bulk of that growth: a full 72.1 percent. read more

But hydroelectric power, despite being an important energy source in many nations around the world, is often overlooked. The 2012 data in the chart below is taken from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), which provides independent national and international energy statistics. read more

The map above shows the amount of electricity produced by hydroelectric dams in each of the nations of the world. The United States leads the world in hydroelectric dams, mostly due to its high level of technology and plentiful supply of rivers. Canada, Brazil, and China also produce a large amount of hydroelectricity. read more

Globally, electricity from hydropower grew by 5.3 percent between 2009 and 2010, with new developments in the Asia-Pacific region accounting for the bulk of that growth: a full 72.1 percent. read more