South, Central Asia install nearly 2GW hydropower in 2022

The region has a total installed hydropower capacity of 164 GW.

South and Central Asia installed 1,940 megawatts (MW) of hydropower capacity in 2022, bringing its total installed capacity to 164 gigawatts (GW).

In the 2023 World Hydropower Outlook, the International Hydropower Association said the region generated 539 terawatt hours of electricity from hydropower last year. Its pumped storage installed capacity remained at 7.7 GW with no new installations during the period.

The region will see many large-scale projects to be commissioned from 2024 to 2025 as several governments prioritise financial incentivisation policies and set targets for renewables.

“In South and Central Asia, hydropower presents significant opportunities for the region's development. With several countries experiencing rapid population growth and increasing energy demands, harnessing untapped hydropower resources can contribute to energy security and economic growth,” it report read.

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“The optimisation of this potential requires a balance between advancing hydropower generation, preserving environmental integrity, and maintaining geopolitical equilibrium,” it added.

Some of the notable hydropower-related projects include the signing of a roadmap agreement by the energy ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan to build the Kambar-Ata-1 project.

India and Nepal will also construct the 695 MW Arun IV project on the Arun River and increase electricity import and export capacity to 800 MW from 600 MW.

“This region has significant potential to expand its hydropower development which will result in a massive economic boost as well as energy security for local communities,” it said.