| World news Hydropower currently contributes nearly 27%
of U.S. renewable electricity generation and 93% of utility-scale energy storage, but many facilities require upgrades. Key hydropower project upgrades The Investing in America agenda focuses on capital improvements in three key areas of hydropower: enhancing grid resilience, boosting dam safety, and supporting environmental and recreational upgrades at hydropower facilities. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the DOE’s Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives program is part of this effort and is complemented by two other initiatives: the Hydroelectric Production Incentives, which provide payments to qualified hydroelectric facilities for electricity generated and sold, and the Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives, which offer payments to increase power generation from the existing hydropower fleet. The 293 projects announced today will: Strengthen grid resilience at hydropower dams by: Replacing or upgrading turbines and generators
Upgrading control systems Upgrading cables and transformers Upgrading penstocks, which transport water to the turbines
Improve dam safety by upgrading aging dam infrastructure and strengthening existing infrastructure against extreme weather events. The average number of years selected facilities have been in operation is 79 years. Specific examples of projects include: Upgrades to emergency spillways, which channel extra water during heavy rains Concrete replacement to prevent water seepage through the dam Water conveyance repairs to improve how the dam controls water movement Upgrades to gates Upgrades to prevent overtopping of dam walls Erosion repair on the dam and surrounding areas
Facilitate environmental and recreational improvements to hydropower infrastructure that will improve water conditions and expand surrounding habitat and passage for fish and other species, and upgrade recreational facilities near dams. For example: Fish passage projects will install fish ladders or other equipment to enable fish and other aquatic species to pass through the dam and/or the turbine. Some projects will also improve or expand the wildlife habitat surrounding the dam. Water quality projects will deploy special turbines that reduce the loss of oxygen in water as it runs through the turbine to generate electricity. Water quality projects might also improve aquatic habitats downstream of the dam, as well as benefit species of conservation concern or cultural significance to Indian Tribes.
Recreation projects will establish or maintain recreational facilities and opportunities near the dam, which might include expanding water access for boating; improving access for other recreational activities, such as kayaking and white-water rafting; and enhancing walking trails.
These investments align with the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of certain federal benefits to reach disadvantaged communities impacted by pollution and underinvestment. DOE anticipates releasing a second round for Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectric Incentives next calendar year.
India
NHPC and Maharashtra Govt sign MoU for pumped storage development The Department of Water Resources, Government of Maharashtra, and NHPC Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop pumped storage projects with a total capacity of 7350MW in Maharashtra, India. The MoU, signed in Mumbai, aims to advance the state’s energy infrastructure in line with the Maharashtra government’s policy on the development of pumped storage projects. The MoU outlines the responsibilities of NHPC in conducting surveys, investigations, and the preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for these projects. It also covers the execution of the projects in compliance with the relevant policies of the Central and State Governments. The initiative is seen as a critical step towards enhancing energy storage solutions in Maharashtra, which will help the state meet its renewable energy goals. The agreement was formally exchanged between Rajat Gupta, Executive Director (SBD&C) of NHPC, and Deepak Kapoor, Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, Government of Maharashtra. The signing ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, and R. P. Goyal, Director (Finance) at NHPC. Pumped storage projects are considered crucial for energy storage and grid stability, particularly as the nation moves towards increasing its reliance on renewable energy sources. This MoU aligns with India’s national targets of achieving 500GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and reaching net zero emissions by 2070. The partnership between NHPC and the Maharashtra government is expected to accelerate the development of energy storage infrastructure, providing a reliable solution to manage the variability of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. By integrating pumped storage projects, Maharashtra aims to strengthen its energy resilience and contribute significantly to the national renewable energy mission.
Nepal
MoU signed to boost sustainable hydropower
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the FMO – Dutch entrepreneurial development bank , NMB Bank Ltd., and the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA). The agreement aims to integrate the Hydropower Sustainability Standard into the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) due diligence process for banking in Nepal. The objectives of the MoU include: Promoting independent environmental and social due diligence through the use of HYDROSELECT. Improving community engagement, consultation, and transparency in the planning and development of hydropower projects.
Supporting local capacity-building initiatives focused on ESG best practices. Recognizing Nepal’s significant potential for hydropower development, the MoU aims to guide investments toward sustainable and climate-friendly projects. The Hydropower Sustainability Standard
provides a rigorous assessment framework that ensures responsible development. It has a focus on community benefits and environmental protection. It covers 12 key ESG topics and offers guidelines at two performance levels.
Global
Upstream Tech’s HydroForecast reaches 10GW hydropower milestone Upstream Tech announced that its AI-powered water forecasting tool, HydroForecast, now supports 34 utilities and hydropower managers globally, overseeing more than 10GW of hydropower operations. Major users of the technology include Brookfield, ENGIE, and Mercury Power New Zealand. HydroForecast provides accurate predictions
of water availability, helping hydropower operators maximize energy production, improve efficiency, and manage water resources more effectively. The tool’s AI-driven forecasts are especially valuable as climate change increases the challenges of managing dam safety, optimizing production, and preparing for extreme weather. Upstream Tech’s client base spans key
regions, including the US, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Iceland. The company’s recent agreements in North America have helped push its support past the 10GW mark. “By partnering with Upstream Tech, and adopting its HydroForecast product, we’re taking the proactive steps necessary to ensure we can continue to provide clean power to global populations, support the long term financial planning of our businesses and ensure that we protect our power assets,” said Jean Nicolas Lejeune, Managing Director of Global Energy Management & Sales at ENGIE Iberia.
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