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Hydropower

Hydropower is the generation of electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing or falling water, typically through dams, run-of-river installations or pumped-storage schemes. It is one of the oldest and most widely deployed forms of renewable energy, accounting for a significant share of global electricity production. Hydropower plants convert the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy via turbines, which then drive generators to produce electrical power. The technology ranges from large-scale dam-based facilities with multi-gigawatt capacity to small micro-hydro installations serving remote communities. Major hydropower regions include sub-Saharan Africa, where rivers such as the Congo and Zambezi offer substantial untapped potential, as well as Asia, South America and parts of Europe. Hydropower is valued for its ability to provide baseload power, rapid response to demand fluctuations and energy storage through pumped-storage configurations. Environmental and social considerations include impacts on river ecosystems, sediment transport, fish migration and the displacement of communities during dam construction. Despite these challenges, hydropower remains a cornerstone of many countries' energy transitions, often developed alongside solar, wind and other renewable sources. Investment in new capacity and the refurbishment of ageing infrastructure continue to shape the sector's growth trajectory.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

Slovak smelter restart underscores hydropower's role in aluminium supply chains

Norsk Hydro's Slovalco joint venture has struck a deal with the Slovak government to partially restart its aluminium smelter after a four-year shutdown, including a new power supply contract with state-owned hydropower utility Vodohospodarska Vystavba. The restart of 75 000 t/y of capacity, expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, follows a €100-million investment and would ease a European metal shortage worsened by the closure of Mozambique's Mozal smelter, which had relied on Cahora Bassa hydropower.

Zambia's drought-hit hydro fleet drives renewable diversification push

A 2023/24 drought that cut Zambia's hydropower generation by 50%, exposing dependence on hydro for 80% of electricity supply, has spurred solar, wind, battery storage and regional power-trading investment through the Southern African Power Pool to meet growing Copperbelt mining demand.

Egypt's Nag Hammadi smelter expansion to draw on Aswan hydropower

Trafigura, Egyptalum and Metallurgical Industries Holding Company have entered exclusive negotiations on a $750-million to $900-million project to nearly double primary aluminium capacity at Egyptalum's Nag Hammadi complex, which is supplied with hydroelectric power from the Aswan High Dam, adding 300 000 t/y of smelting capacity and a 150 000 t/y anode plant.

Hydropower Updates


Hydro employee at aluminium smelting operation
Aluminium supply shock revives long-idled Western smelters, Reuters says
10th July 2026 By: Reuters

The supply shock caused by the Iran war is sparking old Western aluminium smelters back into life. In the US, Magnitude 7 Metals is reactivating the New Madrid smelter in Missouri. 


Three large yellow load haul trucks at the Longonjo rare earths mine in Angola
Major rare earths mine construction progresses
10th July 2026 By: Halima Frost

The construction of the Longonjo rare earths mine in Angola is progressing on target and on budget for first mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) commissioning in 2027, according to owner and operator... 


New South32 CEO Matt Daley.
New South32 CEO sees strong growth ahead in zinc, lead, silver, copper
3rd July 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Being a premier base metals-focused business with strong growth potential is the vision for South32 of new CEO Matt Daley. “We've got around 55% production growth over the next handful of years in... 


Image of smelter
Nag Hammadi aluminium smelter project, Egypt
3rd July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Trafigura, Egyptian Aluminium Company, and Metallurgical Industries Holding Company have signed a term sheet and entered into exclusive negotiations to develop the project.  


Africa's Energy Future Lies in Integrated Power Systems
Africa's Energy Future Lies in Integrated Power Systems
2nd July 2026

As Africa races to provide reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity to more than 600 million people without access to power, energy experts increasingly agree that the continent's future... 


Norsk Hydro's Slovalco joint venture aluminium smelting plant, in Slovakia
Norsk Hydro's Slovak aluminium smelter to partially restart production
1st July 2026 By: Reuters

Norsk Hydro said on Wednesday its Slovalco aluminium joint venture had struck an agreement with the Slovak government to partially restart production after a four-year shutdown, with the deal... 


Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
Fossil generation ‘substituted’ by renewables in 2025 amid electricity tipping point
30th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Record global electricity demand last year was met entirely by low-carbon sources, resulting in fossil fuels generation being substituted rather than supplemented, the Energy Institute’s... 


Africa urged to embrace equitable resource-based industrialisation
Africa urged to embrace equitable resource-based industrialisation
29th June 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

As a continent endowed with a vast number of natural resources and high renewable-energy potential, Africa’s natural resources can be a platform for industrialisation if linkages with the rest of... 


An image of graphite from Blencowe
Blencowe selects site for downstream processing operations in Uganda
29th June 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

London-listed Blencowe Resources has selected the preferred site for the future downstream operations associated with its Orom-Cross graphite project, in Uganda. Following an extensive search and... 


Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
Tanzania LNG – unlocking future growth across energy and industry
26th June 2026

By: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Hegazy - Business Development Leader, Energy and Chemicals, Schneider Electric East Africa Tanzania’s energy and chemicals segment is projected to show tremendous growth in... 


Multilateral development banks remain relevant, more progress on reforms needed
24th June 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Multilateral development banks (MDBs) remain highly relevant to their clients, and their relevance has increased over the past five years, although there is a need for further progress on reform of... 


Coal
China's coal power on the rise again in 2026, reversing first-in-a-decade decline
24th June 2026 By: Reuters

China's coal-fired power generation is set to rebound this year from its first fall in a decade, analysts said, due to the impact of El Nino and the Iran war and as renewable sources of energy have... 


Why project delays are becoming a bigger risk in renewable energy
Why project delays are becoming a bigger risk in renewable energy
23rd June 2026

By: Matthew George - Head of Corporate at Hamtern Financial Services Project delays in renewable energy tend to get written off as timing issues. The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Renewables... 


Regional Power Pools: Africa's Greatest Opportunity to Accelerate Electrification
Regional Power Pools: Africa's Greatest Opportunity to Accelerate Electrification
23rd June 2026

As Africa strives to achieve universal access to electricity while supporting economic growth and industrialisation, regional power pools are increasingly being recognised as one of the continent's... 


The Risk Problem with Investors Treating African Energy as One Market
The Risk Problem with Investors Treating African Energy as One Market
19th June 2026

By: Vuyo Mafrika - Head, Global Markets, Client Solutions –  Africa Regional Offices; Chewe Chumanya, Bank  Manager, Absa Zambia; and Opy Ramaremisa, Head, Client Solutions, Absa CIB The El... 


Lithium mineralisation at the Shaakichiuwaanaan – lithium only project
Shaakichiuwaanaan – lithium-only project, Canada – update
19th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

PMET Resources, following the completion of a concept study, has identified a potentially viable pathway for producing a value-added lithium chemical. 


Red Rocket COO Luca Silva speaks to
Red Rocket sees opportunity in next phase of energy market evolution
17th June 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Red Rocket COO Luca Silva speaks to Engineering News at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town about the company's growth ambitions, opportunities in Africa's electricity market and the role of... 


Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa
Ramokgopa urges Africa to turn cross-border power plans into bankable projects
17th June 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has called for Africa to accelerate the implementation of cross-border electricity infrastructure by converting continental energy plans into... 


Coal
China mine disaster, Indonesia policy changes upend global coal market
17th June 2026 By: Reuters

A deadly mining accident in China's biggest coal-producing region and mounting policy chaos around Indonesian exports are choking global supplies, which analysts and industry officials say could... 


PMET's Shaakichiuwaanaan project
PMET Resources confirms value-added lithium processing viability on site in Québec
15th June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

ASX-listed lithium explorer PMET Resources has confirmed in a concept study that the Shaakichiuwaanaan project, in Québec's Eeyou Istchee James Bay region, can viably produce a value-added lithium... 


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pqt: 0.127s - ct: 0.192s - 288pq - 2rq
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