2026 World Hydropower Outlook highlights hydropower's growing role in energy security

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Global pumped storage capacity has surpassed 200 GW, according to the 2026 World Hydropower Outlook, released on Wednesday (24th June) by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), with a total of 28 GW of hydropower capacity commissioned in 2025, including 11.6 GW of pumped storage.

The report highlights hydropower’s rapidly evolving role in the global energy transition, as countries increasingly turn to flexible renewable generation and long-duration energy storage to support energy security, economic resilience and decarbonisation.

Global installed hydropower capacity reached 1,469 GW in 2025 after the addition of 28 GW of new capacity during the year, including a record 11.6 GW of pumped storage. Pumped storage capacity surpassed 200 GW globally for the first time, reinforcing its growing importance as the world’s dominant form of large-scale energy storage.

While conventional hydropower remains essential for low-carbon electricity generation, increasing shares of wind and solar power are driving growing demand for flexibility, balancing services and long-duration energy storage. As a result, pumped storage is becoming a strategic priority in major electricity markets worldwide.

The Three Gorges Dam in Central China is the world's largest power-producing facility of any kind/. Source: Wikipedia