China leads all other nations with 1.27 trillion kWh of power generation from hydro power. Russia follows with 852 billion kWh and closely on the heels is Brazil with 811 billion kWh. Canada and the United States follow with 522 billion kWh and 501 billion kWh.
China surely comes as no surprise with its ever growing population and Three Gorges Dam project, which is the largest in the world. Brazil as well with numerous projects built in the past decades in the water rich Amazon river basin. These countries also share energy challenges including expanding populations and increased industrial demand for power.
Following these countries in order are the Democratic Republic of Congo , Tajikistan, Ethiopia, Peru, Nepal, Norway, Columbia, Venezuela , and finally Turkey. In total the world has a capability of 40.29 trillion kWh of hydro , while only 15.9 trillion of these are commercially viable.
The continents of North America, Asia and South America all have around 7 trillion kWh of capacity with Africa taking fourth place with 3.9 trillion kWh. Europe only has 2.63 trillion kWh.
