Hydropower and pumped hydropower storage in the European Union

The report confirms that the EU is a leader in hydropower R&D, scientific research, exports, technological innovations and sustainable solutions. The EU hosts more than a quarter of the global pumped-hydropower-storage capacity (in terms of turbine's installed capacity) and hydropower is a key technology to support the integration of volatile renewable energy sources, providing energy storage, grid stability and flexibility. Water and hydropower reservoirs can provide multiple services and help to mitigate the effects of climate changes and to deal with the increasing water demand; however, new barriers in rivers and reservoirs can also generate environmental impacts. Therefore, hydropower is a complex sector within the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystem nexus. The current trends in the EU mainly consist in tapping the hidden hydropower potential in existing facilities and hydraulic infrastructures, modernizing the existing fleet, increasing flexibility and resilience to climate changes, and  implementing digital and mitigation measures. New reservoirs should be designed as multi-purpose schemes. Keeping the leadership of EU companies, especially in the global export and trade sectors, is of vital importance.