At a time when Europe is struggling to reduce its dependence on imported fuels, one energy source already provides large-scale, home-grown resilience: hydropower.With 220 TWh of storage capacity, enough to power nearly 60 million households for a year, or almost three times Belgium’s annual electricity consumption, hydropower is Europe’s most underappreciated strategic asset. It delivers more electricity than any other renewable energy source, yet in today’s debates, it is too often overlooked.
According to the “Renewable Energy Statistics 2025” report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy sources accounted for 29.9 per cent of global electricity production in 2023. Hydropower remained the largest renewable worldwide, generating 4,270 TWh, roughly all the electricity consumed annually in the entire European Union and the United States combined. In Europe, however, despite this scale and proven value, hydropower still tends to be sidelined in the political conversation.
Hydropower is not just another renewable energy source. It is the only one that combines large-scale generation, long-term storage, and grid stability. Reservoirs act as natural batteries. Flexible turbines can ramp up or down in seconds, balancing the variability of solar and wind. It also supports cross-border energy cooperation. Beyond electricity, hydropower infrastructure also supports water management and flood control. At a time when Europe must reduce its dependence on imported fuels, these qualities make hydropower nothing less than a strategic asset of resilience. Recognizing this role and ensuring that the sector is supported is a priority that can no longer be delayed.
As the EU accelerates its transition to a low-carbon energy system, flexibility and storage are emerging as core requirements. Meeting the targets set under the European Green Deal, a 55% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 42.5% renewable energy share (with an aspirational 45%), and full climate neutrality by 2050 will demand not just more clean generation, but also reliable ways to manage its variability. Hydropower is uniquely positioned to deliver both. But unless Europe puts it back on the agenda, its contribution risks being taken for granted. In research, investment, and policy development, hydropower deserves clear prioritisation.
This autumn, the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA) Joint Programme Hydropower is taking steps to change that. Through a series of events, we aim to build a shared narrative about hydropower’s importance and prepare concrete outcomes that can strengthen the sector’s recognition at European level.
The first event takes place in Trondheim, Norway, together with the COST Action on Sustainable Hydropower. It will launch the autumn agenda and set the tone for the months ahead: framing hydropower’s role in today’s energy landscape, examining sustainability, and how hydropower can deliver on climate goals while respecting ecosystems and communities. The programme also features exchanges on system integration and hydropower’s role in balancing renewables, reflections on innovation and research priorities for the next decade, and concludes with a policy dialogue designed to capture ideas and translate them into recommendations for European and national decision-makers.
This event is designed to be more than a discussion forum. It is designed as a launchpad for shaping a stronger European voice on hydropower, with outcomes feeding into each successive event to build momentum throughout the quarter.
By the end of the year, JP Hydropower aims to have shaped both a convincing narrative and a set of practical recommendations for policymakers and funders. In a time when secure, sustainable, and affordable energy underpins Europe’s stability, we cannot afford to underestimate the value of this renewable source. It has been a cornerstone of our energy system for over a century. With the right recognition and support, it can remain as such for the century ahead.
