The distribution of waterpower in the world is uneven. The development of waterpower has been great in the countries, which are industrially advanced.
A vast proportion of reserves in the tropical regions. More than 60 per cent of the potential power of the world is in the tropics. Africa alone has more than 41.4 per cent of the world's total waterpower potential. Next to Africa, the continents in order of importance are Asia (23 per cent), N. America (13.2 per cent), Europe (10.5 per cent), South America (8.4 per cent), Oceania (3.5 per cent). Due to high degree of industrialization in Western Europe and paucity of coal in some parts and almost total absence of petroleum, there has been a great development of waterpower. Western Europe has developed 51 percent of her power potential.
Italy being poor in coal has developed 10 per cent of the world's developed waterpower. France has 8 per cent of the world's total developed waterpower. Norway, Sweden and Switzerland being devoid of other power resources have greatly developed waterpower.
In the production of water power two great areas stand out prominently,
(i) the eastern part of U.S. with the adjacent parts of Canada,
(ii) western and central Europe.
More than 60 percent of the world's output of hydropower is produced in these areas.
U.S.A.: The Niagara falls provide energy for a large number of hydroelectric installations. The Appalachian region extending from Pennsylvania to Alabama is important for waterpower development. The maximum potentiality is in N. Carolina and Tennessee.
In the large central plains between Rocky and the Appalachians, stream gradients are gentle and the river valleys are generally wide. Among the largest developed power projects, the Mississippi River at Keokuk is important. Potential waterpower resources are greatest in the northwestern part of U.S. Of the total potential power 31 per cent is in Washington and Oregon. In California, more than 50 per cent of the available potential is in use. The Hoover Dam project on the Colorado River ranks as one of the largest irrigation and power projects in the world.
Russia had an installed capacity of hydro energy of 12.7 million kW in 1959. Production of hydro-energy in 1988 amounted to 47830 million KW.
The Caucasus accounts for more than half of total hydropower resources of the European part of country. At present there are many powerful stations in Russia The first big hydro-electrical plant was at Dnieproges whose installed capacity is 500,000 kW.
China: China's hydropower potential is among the largest in the world. The total exploitable potential is estimated at about 1900 billion KWh. At present only about 74 billion KWh or 4 per cent of the exploitable potential has been developed. About 70 per cent of potential resources are located in southwestern China. The majority of the plants earlier were thermal. Three hydropower stations were built in the 1930's to exploit the resources in northeastern China. The installed capacity grew at an average rate of 12 per cent per annum to reach 72360 mw by the end of l982. About 25 percent of this capacity is based on hydro resources.
The Lubuge project, an $ 812 million scheme has been designed to expand the power generating capacity of China with the help of the World Bank. The project is on the Huangni river of China-near the common border of Yunnan province, Guizhon province and the Guangxi region.
Japan: Japan has a potential waterpower of 7.2 million-horse power. Japan is rich in waterpower. Most of the large power sites are located on the eastern and southern slopes of the mountains of central Honshu. About 60 per cent of the power produced is consumed by industry. The factors that have led to the high development of waterpower include abundant precipitation, mountainous topography and the zeal and energy of the Japanese people and the need for industrial power.
India: Total hydropower resources of the country are 41,155 mws of which 7225 mws has been developed. She has immense possibilities to develop waterpower.
Western India has no coal practically but waterpower development is magnificent. The Lonavala Nila Mula and the Andhra Valley are the important stations on the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
Southern India has a total capacity of 230,000 kW. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala stand out prominent as regards waterpower production
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