Significant advances in today’s global hydropower industry means that a number of countries are set to reap the rewards of this burgeoning sector, leading to a surge in demand for specialist hydropower contractors from across the world.

1. Hydropower
Industry
Hydropower
Industry
Hydropower is a growing industry which is expected to provide 19% of the world’s electricity by 2020,
leading to an increasing demand for specialists in this area.
Jobs in large and small hydropower combined amounted to 1.7 million in 2014,
most of which fell in construction and installation in China.
Growth of the Global
Where Does the World
Currently Get its Power?
Fossil-derived energy accounts for 68% of the world’s electricity, with renewables providing 21%.
Source: IEA 2014 (data from 2012)
5%
Oil
Gas
22%
41%
Coal
11%
Nuclear
2%
Biomass
and waste
3%
Other renewables
16%
Hydro
How Does Hydropower Compare
to Other Renewables?
Installed Renewable Power
Capacity - Cumulative Capacity
Source: IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency)
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Capacity (GW)
Hydropower
Wind
Energy
Solar
Energy
Bioenergy
Geothermal
Energy
Tide, Wave and
Ocean Energy
10 Countries with the Greatest
Hydropower Capacity
China, along with Brazil, the United States, Canada, Russia, India, Turkey, Norway, Japan and France,
make up the top ten producers of hydropower across the globe.
Source: US Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2012
China
856
1
Brazil
411
2
Canada373
3
Global ranking
By billion kilowatt hours per year
United States
276
4
Russia164
5
Norway 140
6
India 124
7
Venezuela 81
8
Sweden78
9
Japan74
10
Where are the Most Jobs in
Renewable Energy at the Moment?
Source: IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency)
500,000
0
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
Jobs2,273,000
1,453,000
834,000
782,000
503,000
264,000
184,000 156,000
43,000
Solar
Photovoltaic
Liquid
Biofuels
Wind
Power
Biomass Solar
Heating/Cooling
Biogas Geothermal Small
Hydropower
Concentrated
Solar Power
6.5 million
jobs in 2013
In 2013, 46% of global hydropower employment was accounted for by China, followed by Brazil (8%), India (7%)
and The Russian Federation (6%), according to IRENA’s Renewable Energy and Jobs Annual Review 2015.
Source: Lehr and Nieters (2015)
28%
Rest of
the World
Total:
1.5 million
jobs
China
45.8%
1
Brazil
7.6%
2
India
6.9%
3
Russian Federation
5.7%
4
Vietnam
3%
5
Iran
2.9%
6
Which Countries Have the Most
Hydropower Jobs?
Major Hydropower Projects Underway
in Key Employment Hotspots
• Due to start producing energy in 2019
• When complete in 2021 will be the
largest in the world
• Expected installed capacity of
3,600 MW
China, Hebei province:
Fengning Pumped Storage Station
Turkey:
Kargı Hydropower project
• Currently under construction with
102 MW
capacity on completion &
• Estimated up to 15 GW of new
capacity currently under construction
in Turkey: Yusufeli (540 MW), Çetin
(517 MW) and Kığı (180 MW) projects
• Construction began in 2007 and is
due to complete in late-2016
• Total installed capacity will reach
330 MW
•
•
India:
Kishanganga project
$250
USD
million
invested
$687
USD
million
invested
$1.87
USD
billion
invested
What Roles are Available
in Hydropower?
Hydrologists
Plan large hydropower
projects and manage
resultant water resources.
Mechanical engineers
Consider the physics involved
in the operation of hydropower
systems, often in the planning and
development stages of a project.
Civil engineers
Design structural aspects of
a power plant and consider
ways to harness the power
of running water.
Environment scientist
Evaluate the potential effects of
a plant on its surroundings and
provide solutions for negative
environmental impacts.
Installers and operators
Build, maintain and operate
hydropower plants, as well as
analyse data to keep the plant
functioning properly.
Plant electrician
Test and inspect electrical
components and make sure
everything is properly installed,
repaired and maintained.
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