World hydropower capacity continues to increase The global use of hydropower inc ...

World hydropower capacity continues to increase The global use of hydropower increased by 5% from 2009 to 2010, according to research published by the Worldwatch Institute. At the end of 2010, worldwide hydropower electricity reached a level of around 3,500 TWh, or around 16% of global consumption, says Worldwatch. The increase follows the growth trend in hydropower seen since 2003. The report attributes the growth in hydropower use to the fact that the cost of hydropower is relatively low - around 3 to 5 US cents per kWh for a plant over 10 MW. Hydropower can also be used flexibly as plants can be ramped up and down quickly to adapt to changing energy demands. The report also notes the negative aspects associated with hydropower: for example, damming can harm local ecosystems, and building large dams and reservoirs often involves displacing people and wildlife and requires significant amounts of carbon-intensive cement. China is the largest hydropower producer, according to the report. The country produced 720 TWh in 2010, which represents around 17% of domestic electricity use. China also had the highest installed hydropower capacity, with 210 GW at the end of 2010. It added more hydro capacity than any other country - 16 GW in 2010, and plans to add 140 GW by 2015. This is equivalent to building about seven more dams the size of China's Three Gorges Dam, currently the largest in the world. The report notes that hydropower is concentrated in just a few countries and regions. The Asia-Pacific region generated roughly 32% of global hydropower in 2010. Africa produces the least hydropower, accounting for 3% of the world total, but is considered the region with the greatest potential for increased production, it says.