How much hydro power could be built at undeveloped sites?
The IHA and the IEA estimate the world’s total technical feasible hydro potential at 14,000 TWh/year, of which about 8000 TWh/year is currently considered economically feasible for development. At present about 808 GW in operation or under construction. Most of the potential for development is in Africa, Asia and Latin America with Asia having the greatest economically feasible potential at 3600 TWh/year. South America has an economically feasible potential of 1600 TWh/year and Africa’s potential is 1000 TWh/year. In the United States the Department of Energy has identified 5,677 sites with undeveloped capacity of about 30,000 MW.
