Above: Small hydropower plant at Castro, Chiloe Island in Chile. The country is described as exhibiting significant potential for small and micro run of river schemes


generating capacity has ‘grown spectacularly in recent years’, the IHA admits hydropower has only played a relatively small role in this. However, in 2024, four projects added 157.7MW to Chile’s hydropower capacity. These were: Los Cóndores (150MW). Pasada Piedras Negras (3MW). La Con anza (2.6MW).


Nueva Ampliación PMGD Las Flores (2.1MW). Four more projects, with a combined investment of US$677 million, are also under construction with the 52MW Los Lagos run-of- river project also recently receiving approval.


Colombia Hydropower, with an installed capacity of 13207MW, accounts for nearly 64% of the Colombia’s total energy generation. Although construction of the country’s largest hydropower project, the 2400MW run-of-river Ituango scheme, is well under way and expected to reach full capacity by 2027, elsewhere hydropower development is described as lagging. Just


Central and South America installed hydropower (Source: IHA 2025)


Country Brazil


Venezuela Colombia Mexico


Argentina Paraguay Chile Peru


Ecuador


Costa Rica Panama Uruguay


Guatemala Honduras Bolivia


Dominican Republic El Salvador Nicaragua


Installed hydropower capacity (MW)


109,982 18,366 13,218 12,614 11,137 8810 7566 5515 5419 2353 1848 1538 1516 849 759 641 639 159


Above: El Quimbo hydropower dam in Colombia. A new case study has researched the digital transformation of the country’s hydropower facilities


two projects were completed in 2024 – the 10.5MW TZ II and the 2MW Alejandría. Two major projects, Porvenir II (352MW) and Miel II (120MW), have been approved and the IHA believes these can help stimulate future growth for the Colombian hydropower sector. Digital transformation can be viewed as a powerful innovation driver in energy transition efforts. However, according to a new study, there remains a notable gap in research addressing comprehensive, large-scale digital transformation projects in hydropower. EG Gabon et al say that very few existing studies have covered the scope of digitalising a significant proportion of an entire nation’s hydropower infrastructure. In addition they believe few works have delved into the depth and complexity of digital solution architectures tailored for large-scale hydropower plants, with even fewer studies exploring the direct impact of these strategies on national energy policies and the integration of renewable energy sources. In their research, EG Gabon et al say they


address such a critical gap by presenting a real-world, large-scale case study of the digital transformation of Colombia’s hydropower sector. The investigation discusses in detail the digital transformation strategy for the hydropower plants of one of the major players in the Colombian generation market, detailing the automation concept for each individual unit and the integrated architecture for all the hydropower generation systems. Enel Colombia is one of the largest power generation companies in the Colombian electricity market. Its digital transformation involves the digitalisation of 27 hydroelectric generating units and four pumping stations distributed over 12 plants. These include the: 276MW Paraíso. 324MW Guaca. 19.4MW Charquito. 56.8MW Tequendama. 35MW Salto II. 1MW Limonar. 18MW Laguneta. 150MW Darío Valencia. 1250MW Guavio. 10MW Guavio menor. 200MW Quimbo. 540MW Betania.


Ecuador


Ecuador has only tapped 7% of its hydropower potential, with its hydropower system currently


Above: Itaipú Binacional, operators of one of the world’s largest hydropower plants, supplied Paraguay with 20.4TWh of electricity between January and December 2024 – a record for cumulative energy production


remaining under pressure due to droughts which have triggered electricity blackouts. The IHA says that with 72% of the country’s power generation dependent on water, the government is turning to solar projects to add resilience. Government initiatives have been designed to help Ecuador meet its long-term goal of sourcing 80% of its electricity from renewable sources and encourage greater private sector participation. Key projects include two new run-of-river plants, which will add approximately 150MW, and the 3600MW Zamora G8 project which is now in final feasibility stages, with the 254MW Toachi-Pilatón complex nearing completion.


Guyana Guyana has revived its flagship 165MW Amaila Falls hydropower project after years of delays and failed attempts. IHA says Amaila is central to Guyana’s low carbon strategy, with expectations it will supply more than 50% of the nation’s electricity, reducing dependence on oil. However, key hurdles including financing challenges, indigenous consultation, and environmental concerns remain ahead of the targeted 2029 commissioning date.


Peru


Peru has harnessed 8% of its hydropower potential of 69.45GW. Recent policy initiatives seek to accelerate concessions and consent processes, and shorten environmental review timelines. Six projects totalling 664MW will enter commercial operation between 2025 and 2027. These include the 209.3MW San Gabán III which is located in Carabaya province, Puno. Designed to generate approximately 1.25TWh annually, it will bolster supply to Peru’s southern grid and support the mining sector. In addition, construction of four small hydropower projects is more than 25% complete – CH Santa Lorenza (19MW), CH Anashironi (20MW), Centauro I (12.5MW),.


Engineering and consulting firm AFRY has been selected by Electroperú to oversee the modernisation and life extension of the country’s Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo and Restitución hydropower plants. The project aims to upgrade systems and equipment at both facilities to maintain operational continuity and improve reliability. Electroperú S.A., Peru’s state-owned energy


provider, operates the Mantaro Hydroelectric Complex, which includes the 798MW


www.waterpowermagazine.com | August 2025 | 17


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