Energetic use of water has a long tradition. Water power was already being used to drive machines such as flour mills in Ancient Egyptian and in the Roman Empire. In mediaeval times water mills were used in Europe for saw and paper mills. 

Since the end of the 19th century, water power has been used to generate electricity. For a long time it was the most important regenerative energy source in Germany. Since 2004, more electricity has been produced from wind than water power. Today hydroelectric power is a fully developed technology and, after traditional biomass use, is the most used renewable energy source worldwide. It is available around the clock and can also be used as an energy store. In 2010, hydroelectric power plants generated around 19.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. This equates to a 3.3 percent share of total German electricity consumption.

Charts and Data

Functioning principles of a hydro power station

The diagram shows a hydro power station in schematic illustration.

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