Hydro Generator Market Report 2025 (Global Edition)

Global Hydro Generator Market Report 2025 Market Size Split by Type (Umbrella Generator, Half umbrella Generator, Hanging Generator), by Application (Grid Power Generation, Industrial Power Supply, Ru...

Hydro Generator Market Report Description

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Competitive Landscape
The hydro generator market is characterized by a mix of established multinational corporations and emerging players specializing in niche technologies. Key competitive factors include technological innovation, project execution capabilities, and global service networks.

Recent Developments

• Hydro Quest Launches VERTI-Lab for Tidal Turbine Development

In January 2024, French company Hydro Quest, in collaboration with IFREMER, inaugurated VERTI-Lab, a dedicated laboratory for the advancement of vertical-axis tidal stream turbines. This initiative aims to enhance the design and performance of tidal turbines, contributing to the development of the 17.5 MW FloWatt project scheduled for completion by 2027.
(Source: Ifremer and HydroQuest set up a joint laboratory for the development of tidal turbines at sea | Ifremer)

• China's Hydroelectric Output Declines Amid Prolonged Drought

As of March 2024, China's hydroelectric power generation experienced a decline due to an ongoing drought affecting river flows in the south-western regions. Despite an 18% increase in installed hydro capacity, actual electricity production decreased by 1% in 2023. This shortfall led to increased reliance on coal-fired power plants to meet energy demands.
(Source: Hydropower drops off as droughts take hold | World Economic Forum)
 

Top Companies Market Share in Hydro Generator Industry: (In no particular order of Rank)

• Voith Hydro 
• Andritz Hydro 
• GE Renewable Energy 
• Siemens Energy 
• Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions 
• Mitsubishi Electric
• Wärtsilä
• HydroQuest 
• Doosan Enerbility 
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Which Region Dominates the Market?
North America continues to lead the global hydro generator market, underpinned by extensive hydroelectric infrastructure, modernization initiatives, and ambitious clean energy objectives.
United States: As of 2022, the U.S. had a conventional hydropower capacity of approximately 101 GW, contributing 6.2% to the nation's total electricity generation and 28.7% of renewable electricity output. Notably, 95% of proposed new hydropower capacity stems from retrofitting existing non-powered dams. Additionally, at least 11 hydropower plants have integrated or plan to integrate battery storage, enhancing grid flexibility.  
(Source: Hydropower Market Reports | Department of Energy) 
Canada: Hydropower remains Canada's predominant renewable energy source, accounting for about 60% of its electricity generation. The country's installed hydroelectric capacity reached 83.14 GW in 2023, maintaining its position as the third-largest hydropower producer globally. However, in 2023, prolonged droughts in key provinces like Québec, British Columbia, and Manitoba led to a significant decline in hydropower production. Consequently, Canada's electricity exports to the U.S. dropped by nearly 30%, and the country became a net importer of electricity for the first time in decades.
(Source: https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Canada/hydroelectricity_capacity/ 
https://www.ft.com/content/fd1c8647-12fa-49af-904d-d85570b985c7) 
Despite these challenges, North America's robust infrastructure, combined with ongoing investments and policy support, ensures its continued dominance in the hydro generator market.

Which is the Fastest Growing Region in the Market?
The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid growth in the hydro generator market, driven by substantial investments in large-scale projects and supportive policy frameworks.
China continues to lead global hydropower development. As of 2023, the country added 6.7 GW of new hydropower capacity, including 6.2 GW from pumped storage hydropower (PSH). The Baihetan Dam, commissioned in 2021, stands as the world's second-largest hydropower project with a capacity of 16 GW. China's total installed hydropower capacity reached 423 GW by the end of 2023, marking an 18% increase since 2020. However, prolonged droughts have impacted hydroelectricity production, leading to a 1% decrease in generation to 1,141 billion kWh in 2023. 
(Source: https://www.hydropower.org/region-profiles/east-asia-and-pacific 
Spotlight on large dams - International Water Power
Reuters)
India has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, with hydropower playing a crucial role. The government has reclassified large hydropower projects as renewable energy sources, facilitating their inclusion in clean energy initiatives. To meet its growing electricity demand, India needs to scale up its non-fossil-fuel capacity to 600 GW by 2030, encompassing solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy. 
(Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/the-500-gw-switch-over 
India needs 600 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030 to meet demand | Asian Power)
Regional Support from institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is accelerating hydropower deployment. In collaboration with the World Bank, ADB is strengthening Nepal's hydropower sector, focusing on projects like the 1,060 MW Upper Arun and 635 MW Dudh Koshi hydropower plants.  
(Source: https://www.hydropower-dams.com/news/world-bank-and-adb-team-up-to-support-hydro-development-in-nepal/) 
These developments underscore the Asia-Pacific region's pivotal role in the global hydro generator market, driven by large-scale projects, supportive policies, and international collaboration.
 

The current report Scope analyzes Hydro Generator Market on 5 major region Split (In case you wish to acquire a specific region edition (more granular data) or any country Edition data then please write us on info@cognitivemarketresearch.com

• North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)
• Europe (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Rest of Europe)
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, South East Asia, Rest of APAC)
• Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Rest of South America)
• Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Qatar, Rest of Middle East)
• Africa (Nigeria, South Africa, Rest of Africa)

The above graph is for illustrative purposes only.

Hydro Generator Market Analysis

Type Segment Analysis of Hydro Generator Market

Based on the current trends and future market projects, Hydro Generator market size is projected from 2019 to 2031, with both quantitative and qualitative analysis based on the Type segmentation analysis of the Hydro Generator. This helps to understand the fastest-growing segments, such as industrial robots, electric motors, material handling systems, or construction equipment, and others. Type segment analysis gives detailed insights into the factors driving growth, such as technological innovations, automation, and energy efficiency. For instances segments like smart machinery and electric-powered equipment are becoming more popular as industries move towards sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

To better understand the performance of each Type segment, several factors are considered. These include technological advancements like IoT and AI integration, changes in consumer demand for more energy-efficient or customizable operation and pricing trends driven by raw material costs and labor. Regulatory impacts also play a role, especially with environmental and safety regulations. This type of analysis offers a clear view of how different types will evolve over time, helping businesses make smarter decisions on investments and strategies. (Report will provide you with customized data, and detailed insight on purchase of paid version of the report)

Type of Hydro Generator analyzed in this report are as follows:

• Umbrella Generator
• Half umbrella Generator
• Hanging Generator

The above Chart is for representative purposes and does not depict actual sale statistics. Access/Request the quantitative data to understand the trends and dominating segment of Hydro Generator Industry. Request a Free Sample PDF!

The hydro generator market is segmented by application into Grid Power Generation, Industrial Power Supply, Rural Electrification, and Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH).
Among these, Grid Power Generation stands as the most prominent application, as hydro generators play a foundational role in supplying base-load electricity to national power systems. Their ability to deliver large-scale, continuous, and dispatchable power makes them indispensable for grid reliability—particularly in countries with abundant water resources and long-established hydropower infrastructure.
Nations like Canada, Norway, and Brazil rely heavily on hydropower for domestic electricity. In Canada, hydropower accounts for nearly 60% of the country’s total electricity production, while in Norway, it supplies more than 85%. These hydro generators are central to maintaining grid stability and offsetting fluctuations from variable renewable sources such as wind and solar.
(Source: Learn - Waterpower Canada , Norway: electricity production by source 2022| Statista , https://www.ssb.no/en/statbank/table/08308) 
According to the International Hydropower Association (IHA), global hydropower capacity reached 1412 GW in 2023, with over 4,300 TWh of electricity generated—making it the largest single source of renewable electricity worldwide.
[Source: Global Hydropower Capacity Reaches 1412GW in 2023 amid Slowing Growth - World-Energy]
 

The above Graph is for representation purposes only. This chart does not depict actual Market share.

Hydro Generator Capacity Segment Analysis

The hydro generator market is segmented into Small (up to 10 MW), Medium (10–100 MW), and Large (above 100 MW) capacity generators.
Among these, large hydro generators hold the dominant market share due to their critical role in utility-scale power generation. These generators are typically deployed in major hydropower plants integrated into national grids, offering substantial energy output and high operational stability. Engineered for extreme mechanical stress and extended lifecycles, large-capacity systems are often custom-built to meet the hydrological and geographical requirements of dam-based installations.
(Source: Electricity – Renewables 2023 – Analysis - IEA)
Turbine-generator combinations such as Francis and Kaplan turbines are widely used in these high-capacity projects, particularly in countries with mature hydropower infrastructures like China, India, Brazil, and Canada. These nations are home to some of the world’s largest hydroelectric facilities—such as the Three Gorges Dam in China and Itaipu Binacional in Brazil—each utilizing large-scale hydro generators to supply tens of gigawatts of renewable power.
(Source: 5.3.1: The Kaplan and Francis Turbines - Engineering LibreTexts , Francis and Kaplan Reaction Turbines | PDF | Turbine | Energy Technology)
Leading manufacturers such as Voith Hydro and Andritz Hydro provide turnkey generator systems tailored for these massive deployments, including design, engineering, automation, and condition monitoring services. These companies are also at the forefront of modernization projects that enhance output and efficiency in legacy plants through digital retrofitting and advanced materials.
(Source: Electrical power systems for hydropower plants)
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), large hydropower projects contributed over 60% of global renewable electricity generation in 2023, underlining their continued significance in the global energy mix.
[Source: https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2023/hydropower]
 

• Small (up to 10 MW) capacity generators
• Medium (10–100 MW) capacity generators
• Large (above 100 MW) capacity generators

Hydro Generator Installation Type Segment Analysis

The hydro generator market is segmented into Run-of-River systems, Reservoir-based (dam) installations, and Pumped Storage Plants.
Among these, Pumped Storage Plants represent the most strategically significant segment, driven by their crucial role in energy storage and grid stability. These systems operate on a two-way mechanism—during periods of low electricity demand, surplus energy is used to pump water from a lower to an upper reservoir. When demand peaks, the stored water is released back through turbines, generating electricity on demand.
This reversible functionality enables pumped hydro to serve as a natural battery, balancing intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. As nations increase renewable penetration, pumped storage hydro becomes indispensable for frequency regulation, peak shaving, and backup power—particularly in regions with aging grid infrastructure.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, over 90% of utility-scale energy storage in the United States is delivered via pumped-storage hydropower, highlighting its dominance in the energy storage landscape and its ongoing relevance in decarbonized grid planning.
 [Source: https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/pumped-storage-hydropower]
 

• Run-of-River systems
• Reservoir-based (dam) installations
• Pumped Storage Plants

Hydro Generator Technology Segment Analysis

The hydro generator market is segmented by technology into conventional turbines, bulb turbines, cross flow turbines, and hydrokinetic turbines. Among these, conventional turbines—comprising Francis, Kaplan, and Pelton designs—are the most extensively utilized in hydroelectric power generation worldwide. These turbines are selected based on site-specific parameters such as head height and flow rate. Francis turbines are typically used for medium-head, medium-flow installations and are known for their adaptability and high efficiency. Kaplan turbines, with adjustable blades, are ideal for low-head, high-flow applications and are commonly found in run-of-river and low-altitude dam systems. Pelton turbines, on the other hand, are designed for high-head, low-flow conditions and are well-suited for mountainous regions. The broad applicability and technological maturity of conventional turbines make them the preferred choice for large-scale hydro projects, both in newly developed installations and in the refurbishment of existing plants. 
(Source: Difference between Pelton, Francis and Kaplan Turbines – theconstructor.org)
For instance, the Zungeru project in Nigeria utilizes four 175MW Francis turbines, highlighting their application in large-scale installations.
(Source: International Hydropower Association)
 

• Conventional turbines
• Bulb turbines
• Cross flow turbines
• Hydrokinetic turbines

Hydro Generator End - User Segment Analysis

The hydro generator market is segmented by end-user into utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), industrial users, and the agricultural sector. Among these, utilities represent the most prominent end-user group, as they are the primary operators of large-scale hydroelectric power plants that feed directly into national and regional electricity grids. Utilities are responsible for maintaining consistent power generation capacity to meet base-load and peak demand, and hydro generators offer the operational stability and long service life required for this role. These entities often control massive infrastructure portfolios and work closely with government agencies to achieve energy security and decarbonisation targets. In hydropower-reliant countries such as Norway, Canada, and Brazil, public and private utility companies oversee some of the world’s largest hydroelectric projects. For instance, Hydro-Québec, one of the world’s largest hydropower utilities, manages over 36 GW of installed capacity, accounting for more than 99% of the province’s electricity production from renewable sources. Such utilities drive major demand for high-capacity hydro generators due to their ongoing expansion, refurbishment, and grid-balancing efforts. 
[Source:  Hydro-Québec]
 

• Utilities
• Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
• Industrial Users
• Agricultural Sector

Author's Detail

Vinayak Bali

Senior Research Analyst at Cognitive Market Research

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