Underutilization of hydropower

By the beginning of the 1980s, 75% of hydropower resources in Europe and North America had been developed, while only a small proportion had been tapped in Oceania, Asia, and especially Africa. Hydropower generation is limited in the industrialized countries by a lack of suitable dam sites and competition for land and water use.

Hydropower is in extensive use in parts of Canada (particularly Quebec), the northwestern USA (Idaho - 100%; Washington - 80%; Oregon - 76%), the Nordic countries (Norway has almost 100% hydropower), and mountainous regions of Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Europe. Roughly 14% of France's power is hydro, Spain's 19%, Italy's 21%, Japan's 11% and the former Soviet Union's 17%.

1. Hydropower developments have substantial environmental impacts. Large storage schemes displace settlements; the upheaval and resettlement cause considerable social effects by modifying agricultural and transport patterns and affecting regional health. Small schemes may sometimes increase the incidence of waterborne diseases.

1. Underutilization of renewable energy resources

1. Drought

1. Environmental hazards from hydropower

1. Using hydropower
2. Opposing development of rivers

1. Unused
2. Underuse