East Asia-Pacific adds 14GW hydropower, tops 590GW capacity in 2025

Pumped storage fleet reached 106GW whilst power output hit 1854TWh in 2025.

East Asia and Pacific hydropower led global expansion in 2025, driven by China, Southeast Asian electricity exports, and pumped storage development in Australia and New Zealand, according to the International Hydropower Association (IHA).

The association said in its 2026 World Hydropower Outlook that the region held 590 gigawatts (GW) of installed hydropower capacity and added 14GW in 2025, representing more than 40% of global additions.

"The East Asia and Pacific region continued to lead global deployment, with China dominating both conventional hydropower and pumped storage additions," IHA said.

The region generated 1,854 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, whilst pumped storage capacity reached 106GW, with 7,605 megawatts added in 2025.

China accounted for most expansion, adding 4.7GW of conventional hydropower and 7.5GW of pumped storage in 2025.

"China accounted for more than 40% of global hydropower capacity additions in 2025," the report said.

It has more than 300GW under construction, including the Yarlung Zangbo River project, which is projected to produce 300TWh annually once completed.

Hydropower is driving development of the ASEAN Power Grid, with Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Sarawak in Malaysia expanding exports to regional demand centres.

"These expanding interconnections increase hydropower's role in regional balancing and flexibility," IHA said.

Sarawak committed to 100% Hydropower Sustainability Standard certification by 2030, whilst projects including Bakun HEP and Asahan 3 have achieved certification.

Australia and New Zealand focused on pumped storage to support variable renewable generation.

Australia's Snowy 2.0 project is more than 70% complete, whilst the Kidston project has connected to the national grid. Sydney will host the World Hydropower Congress in April 2027.

"Queensland's Kidston was connected to the national electricity grid ahead of wet commissioning expected in 2026," the report said.

The region faces fragmented legal frameworks, financing constraints, and geopolitical volatility.

Three major hydropower projects in Myanmar remain stalled, whilst rising renewable curtailment in Japan and Australia has increased demand for long-duration storage and grid flexibility.