Market overview
The global hydro power market is worth USD 242 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 341 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Reservoir and storage is the largest by plant type segment.
| Scope | Revenue from electricity generated at hydropower plants worldwide, including reservoir, run-of-river and pumped-storage output sold to grids and customers. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Services and Utilities |
| Value 2025 | USD 235 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 242 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 341 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 4,385 TWh |
| Volume 2036 | 5,600 TWh |
| Average price 2026 | USD 55,200,000 per TWh |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Hydro Power market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 242 bn |
| 2027 | USD 251 bn |
| 2028 | USD 259 bn |
| 2029 | USD 268 bn |
| 2030 | USD 278 bn |
| 2031 | USD 287 bn |
| 2032 | USD 298 bn |
| 2033 | USD 308 bn |
| 2034 | USD 319 bn |
| 2035 | USD 330 bn |
| 2036 | USD 341 bn |
Hydro Power market segmentation
By plant type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservoir and storage | 55.0% | 51.7% | USD 133 bn | 2.9% |
| Run-of-river | 33.0% | 32.6% | USD 79.9 bn | 3.4% |
| Pumped storage | 12.0% | 15.8% | USD 29.0 bn | 6.4% |
By capacity
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large (over 100 MW) | 68.0% | 65.9% | USD 165 bn | 3.2% |
| Medium (10 to 100 MW) | 17.0% | 17.3% | USD 41.1 bn | 3.7% |
| Small (under 10 MW) | 15.0% | 16.8% | USD 36.3 bn | 4.7% |
By turbine type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Francis | 47.0% | 45.0% | USD 114 bn | 3.0% |
| Pelton | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 43.6 bn | 4.1% |
| Kaplan and bulb | 24.0% | 22.0% | USD 58.1 bn | 2.6% |
| Crossflow and others | 11.0% | 14.0% | USD 26.6 bn | 6.0% |
By ownership
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State-owned | 58.0% | 52.0% | USD 140 bn | 2.4% |
| Private producers | 27.0% | 31.0% | USD 65.4 bn | 4.9% |
| Public-private ventures | 15.0% | 17.0% | USD 36.3 bn | 4.8% |
By head height
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low head under 30 m | 26.0% | 25.0% | USD 62.9 bn | 3.1% |
| Medium head 30 to 300 m | 48.0% | 46.0% | USD 116 bn | 3.1% |
| High head over 300 m | 26.0% | 29.0% | USD 62.9 bn | 4.6% |
Top 25 countries for hydro power by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 73.2% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.5%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 77.5 bn | 32.0% | USD 112 bn | 3.8% |
| 2 | Brazil | USD 19.4 bn | 8.0% | USD 25.3 bn | 2.7% |
| 3 | Canada | USD 16.9 bn | 7.0% | USD 22.2 bn | 2.7% |
| 4 | United States | USD 16.9 bn | 7.0% | USD 21.2 bn | 2.2% |
| 5 | India | USD 12.1 bn | 5.0% | USD 20.1 bn | 5.2% |
| 6 | Russia | USD 9.7 bn | 4.0% | USD 12.6 bn | 2.7% |
| 7 | Norway | USD 8.5 bn | 3.5% | USD 11.3 bn | 2.9% |
| 8 | Turkey | USD 6.1 bn | 2.5% | USD 9.2 bn | 4.3% |
| 9 | Vietnam | USD 5.3 bn | 2.2% | USD 7.9 bn | 4.0% |
| 10 | Japan | USD 4.8 bn | 2.0% | USD 6.1 bn | 2.4% |
| 11 | Sweden | USD 4.6 bn | 1.9% | USD 6.4 bn | 3.3% |
| 12 | France | USD 4.4 bn | 1.8% | USD 6.0 bn | 3.3% |
| 13 | Colombia | USD 4.1 bn | 1.7% | USD 7.0 bn | 5.4% |
| 14 | Austria | USD 3.9 bn | 1.6% | USD 5.5 bn | 3.3% |
| 15 | Switzerland | USD 3.7 bn | 1.5% | USD 5.2 bn | 3.4% |
| 16 | Italy | USD 3.6 bn | 1.5% | USD 4.9 bn | 3.3% |
| 17 | Venezuela | USD 3.4 bn | 1.4% | USD 4.0 bn | 1.6% |
| 18 | Argentina | USD 3.2 bn | 1.3% | USD 4.4 bn | 3.3% |
| 19 | Spain | USD 3.0 bn | 1.2% | USD 4.2 bn | 3.3% |
| 20 | Peru | USD 2.9 bn | 1.2% | USD 4.9 bn | 5.4% |
| 21 | Mexico | USD 2.7 bn | 1.1% | USD 3.8 bn | 3.3% |
| 22 | Pakistan | USD 2.6 bn | 1.1% | USD 4.4 bn | 5.5% |
| 23 | Iran | USD 2.5 bn | 1.0% | USD 3.4 bn | 3.3% |
| 24 | Indonesia | USD 2.3 bn | 1.0% | USD 4.0 bn | 5.4% |
| 25 | Ethiopia | USD 2.2 bn | 0.9% | USD 4.3 bn | 6.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 15.7 bn | 6.5% | USD 21.2 bn | 3.0% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- China Yangtze Power
- Hydro-Quebec
- Statkraft
- Eletrobras
- EDF
- Enel
- China Three Gorges Corporation
- Itaipu Binacional
- Ontario Power Generation
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Verbund
- RusHydro
- Brookfield Renewable
- Iberdrola
- Fortum
- Vattenfall
- EDP
- NHPC
- Alpiq
- Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- KenGen
- Hydro Tasmania
- Nepal Electricity Authority
- Landsvirkjun
- ZESCO
- Volta River Authority
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the hydro power market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 3.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by plant type, by capacity, by turbine type, by ownership, by head height. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the hydro power market?
The global hydro power market is estimated at USD 235 bn in 2025 and USD 242 bn in 2026.
How fast will the hydro power market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 341 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 99.4 bn.
Which country is the largest market for hydro power?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 77.5 bn in 2026, 32.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 5.2% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which hydro power segment is largest?
In the by plant type split, Reservoir and storage is the largest segment with 55.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading hydro power companies?
Global leaders include China Yangtze Power, Hydro-Quebec, Statkraft, Eletrobras.
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