NATIONAL HYDROPOWER ASSOCIATION
Hydropower's Moment: Making a Reliable Resource Impossible to Ignore

o the water power industry, hydropower's value is obvious. It's a reliable, baseload resource that has been in service, globally, for over a hundred years, powering communities with renewable energy.

Yet, articles like the recent "Hydropower is Still the Forgotten Giant of Electricity - and that Needs to Change," by Faith Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, acknowledge that hydro suffers from a lack of widespread recognition. Birol goes on to argue that hydro's role in a world strained by energy demand is clear, and nations need to prioritize hydropower modernization while enabling smoother permitting processes to get the most out of its many benefits.

As leaders from around the globe gather in Brazil this month for the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), organizations like the International Hydropower Association (IHA) are helping ensure hydropower's visibility.

Brazil, where hydro made up 66% of electricity generation in 2020 - according to the Energy Information Administration, is a fitting locale to frame the importance of hydropower, complimenting IHA and the Global Renewables Alliance's goal of tripling the world's renewable energy generation - growth enabled by resources like hydro and pumped storage.

With conversations at COP30 centered on energy resilience in a world with increased climate and nature impacts, hydro, which research suggests has helped avoid more than 100 billion tons of carbon dioxide in the past 50 years alone, demands to be recognized.

HOW NHA IS HELPING HYDRO MEET THE MOMENT

Telling hydro's story on the international stage is vital, and putting it into action while strengthening domestic energy resilience drives NHA's work.

Spurred on by the stark reality that 450 hydro projects in the U.S., totaling more than 16 GW of generating capacity (40% of the non-federal fleet), are scheduled for relicensing over the next decade, the hydro industry needs to challenge the idea that it has been forgotten.

With energy demand - fueled by data center development and record electricity consumption - creating enormous change across the country, U.S. hydropower has already seen increased attention in 2025, notably in Google and Brookfield Asset Management's Power Purchase Agreement of 3,000 MW of hydro valued at more than $3 billion.

Recent state elections, such as the New Jersey governor's race, also demonstrated the degree to which energy has become intertwined in politics, as Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill, who ran on an affordability platform, succeeded at connecting with voters by addressing their energy concerns. According to a CNN poll of New Jersey voters, 87% believed that electricity costs were a problem in their community.

States such as Georgia also saw voters, motivated by energy affordability woes, elect candidates who promised actionable results. In the race for two seats on Georgia's Public Service Commission, the challengers, who focused on lowering utility bills, defeated the incumbents.

Now, with the U.S. government reopened, NHA is pushing ahead on multiple policy fronts to bolster the industry, providing needed support as it responds to the increased demand for reliable, baseload power.

- Introducing Federal Power Act reform bills in both the House and Senate.

• NHA is working on bipartisan legislation in both the House and Senate to modernize licensing, improve transparency, and streamline processes for hydropower projects under the Federal Power Act.

- Continuing the ask for co-sponsors on the S. 1183/ H.R. 2160 Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act:

• Focus: Balances hydropower development with river restoration.
• Goal: Encourage modernization of existing facilities while protecting ecosystems.
• Current Action: Seeking co-sponsors in both chambers.

- S. 1020 Commence Construction Bill:

• Focus: Addresses timelines for starting construction after license issuance.
• Goal: Reduce delays and regulatory uncertainty for developers.
• Current Action: Ask for S. 1020 to be placed on the House suspension calendar for swift passage.

- R. 3657 - Hydropower License Transparency Act:

• Focus: Improves public access to licensing information.
• Goal: Increase transparency and stakeholder engagement in the licensing process.
• Current Action: Ask for H.R. 3657 to be marked up in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee at the soonest available opportunity.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

In the fight to help hydro, every voice matters, which is why we're asking you to take a few minutes of your time to check out NHA's VoterVoice resource, which allows you to quickly and easily reach out to legislators about why it's vital that they support The Hydropower License Transparency Act and The Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act.

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