U.S. Hydropower Production Projected to Increase by Six Percent During 2024: EIA

U.S. hydropower production is expected to increase by six percent during 2024 compared to last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information. Hydropower generation declined to a 22 year low during 2023, due to less water supply. This year, hydroelectricity is projected to account for 250 billion kilowatthours of electricity production in the power sector, with increases in generation across most parts of the U.S., particularly in the Southeast, Northwest and the Rockies. The agency expects hydropower generation during 2024 in New York to increase marginally compared to the previous year, and remain at similar levels to 2023 in California.

Hydropower produced in the Northwest and Rockies accounted for 43 percent of all U.S. hydropower generation during 2023. Despite its large share in hydropower production, output in the region was at its lower since at least 2010. The decline in hydropower production can be attributed to a reduction in water supply, particularly in Washington and Oregon, which was impacted by a heatwave during May, that swiftly melted the snowpack and lowered water supply for the remainder of 2023.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Northwest River Forecast Center projects normal to more than normal water supply in the southern part of the region and normal to less than normal water supply in the northern part of the region. The agency projects 106 billion kilowatthours of hydropower during 2024 in the Northwest and Rockies, up three percent compared to 2023. Moreover, the agency projects hydropower to account for 29 percent of the Northwest and Rockies regions power generation during 2024.

The agency projects hydropower production in the Southeast region to increase by four billion kilowatthours during 2024, compared to the previous year. Moreover, the agency expects hydropower to account for around five percent of electricity production in the Southeast during 2024.

Californian hydropower production was recorded at 31 billion killowatthours in 2023 and is expected to be at similar volumes during 2024. The California-Nevada River Forecast Center projects the state to have a near-to-above normal water supply. Hydropower production in other regions is projected to increase, particularly in New York and the Central region.  The agency expects New York’s hydropower production to increase marginally during 2024 to 29 billion killowatthours, compared to 2023 levels. Hydropower output in the Central region is projected to increase to 14 billion killowatthours in 2024.