Hydropower (from Ancient Greek ὑδρο -, "water"), also known as water power or water energy, is the use of falling or fast-running water to produce electricity or to power machines.

At hydropower plants water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and turns blades in a turbine that spin to power a generator to produce electricity.

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is a renewable source of energy that generates power by using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of a river or other body of water.

Learn how moving water generates electricity, the three main types of hydropower facilities, and why this renewable energy source still plays a major role worldwide.

Hydropower – also known as hydroelectric power – is a renewable, reliable, versatile and low cost source of clean electricity generation and responsible water management.

Feb 3, 2026 · hydroelectric power, electricity produced from generators driven by turbines that convert the potential energy of falling or fast-flowing water into mechanical energy.

Hydropower, also known as hydroelectricity, is a semi-renewable resource that uses the flow of water to generate electricity. We categorize this resource as semi-renewable, because it must be carefully …

Hydropower is essential to our clean energy future. Solar, wind and battery storage may grab the headlines, yet a simple truth is often overlooked: we can’t achieve deep decarbonization of our …

1 day ago · Inside Clean Energy Can Hydropower Ride the Wave of the Energy Boom? The old, reliable technology has experienced slow growth, but industry leaders see opportunities ahead.

May 13, 2019 · Today, hydropower provides about 16 percent of the world's electricity, generating power in all but two U.S. states. Hydropower became an electricity source in the late 19th century, a …