Hydroelectric power

Water is the most commonly used renewable source of energy the world over: 16% of the power produced globally comes from hydroelectric plants. About half of these plants are based on the expertise of German researchers and companies, and the main export market is Asia.

In Germany, hydroelectric power is stagnating as a niche market and in 2006 only 3.5% of power consumption was produced in this way. This brought the industry a turnover of around €1.27 billion. Hydroelectric power is mostly used in the south of Germany as the foothills of the Alps offer the best natural drops needed for such facilities.