| MINT & BRIC
to complement its growing reliance on solar and wind energy. In addition to its large projects, China has been developing small-scale hydropower stations to serve rural and off-grid communities, ensuring energy access and rural electrification. The government has also emphasized the modernisation of older plants, incorporating digital technologies to optimize efficiency and environmental impact. China’s Baihetan Hydropower Station, which came online in 2022, has further solidified its hydropower dominance. This massive facility, with a total installed capacity of 16GW, is the second-largest hydropower project in the world. Another recent major development is the Metok Dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet, an ambitious $137 billion project aimed at replacing fossil fuels. However, this project has sparked geopolitical concerns, particularly in India, over potential water security risks. Brazil also plays a dominant role in hydropower, with nearly 60% of its electricity coming from this source. The country has leveraged its abundant river systems to develop large-scale hydroelectric plants, including the Itaipu and Belo Monte dams. However, Brazil faces challenges related to climate change, as prolonged droughts have impacted generation levels. The country is investing in hybrid renewable energy systems, integrating hydropower with solar and wind farms to ensure a more resilient energy mix. Additionally, Brazil has been actively engaging in international cooperation with other Latin American nations to develop transboundary hydropower projects and electricity trade agreements. Brazil recently announced plans to build the São Luiz do Tapajós hydropower plant, an 8GW project aimed at meeting rising energy demands. However, environmental concerns and opposition from indigenous communities have slowed its progress. Despite these challenges, Brazil is actively working on repowering older plants by upgrading turbines and modernising grid connections.
India, with its diverse geography, has significant
hydropower potential, but development has been relatively slow. As of 2023, India had over 50GW
of installed capacity, but the pace of new projects has been constrained by environmental concerns, regulatory hurdles, and competition from cheaper solar and wind energy alternatives. The country is now focusing on upgrading existing plants and investing in pumped storage solutions. India’s national hydropower policy is being revised to provide better incentives for investors, particularly in the Himalayan region where new projects can leverage natural altitude differences for efficient energy generation. The government is also promoting run-of-river projects to minimise displacement and ecological damage. A major development in India is the 2GW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, expected to be completed by 2025. This long-delayed project on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam is crucial for meeting India’s clean energy targets. Furthermore, India’s Adani Group has announced plans to develop 10GW of overseas hydroelectric projects in countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Kenya, Tanzania, the Philippines, and Vietnam. This initiative aligns with the conglomerate’s strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Russia has vast hydropower resources, particularly in Siberia and the Far East. With an installed
Above: The Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, China. Image by Rehman, Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.0
Below: Subansiri Lower dam. Image by Nayan j Nath, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
www.waterpowermagazine.com | March 2025 | 11
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45
