Installed capacity
Information based on provisional data from 8 April, 2022
Hydroelectric power is still the second largest renewable source in the Spanish mainland after wind power
Traditionally, hydro has been the main renewable source in Spain until it was overtaken by wind power in 2009. Since then, it persists as the second renewable source by Installed capacity with a total of 17,094 MW of installed power at the end of 2021 (without considering pure pumping power). It can be observed how the power has remained consistent, being the only increase of more than 1% traced back to 2012. During 2021, it has been reduced by 4 MW. Hydroelectric power accounts for the 15.1% of the total power installed, which places it as the third technology after wind and combined cycle, and the second among renewables.
Annual growth of the installed hydraulic power
By regions, Castilla y León is the community with the most hydraulic power installed, almost the 26% of all power nationwide, since the latter is found exclusively the Duero basin, the second most important in the Iberian Peninsula. It is followed by Galicia, with almost 22% of the national total, binding a large part of the North basin, which is the most important one in terms of Installed capacity and which also includes Asturias, Cantabria and part of the Basque Country.
Five regions account for the 80% of the total power capacity installed which includes, in addition to the ones mentioned above, Extremadura, Catalonia and Aragón.
Hydroelectric power capacity installed as at 12.31.2021
Geographical distribution of hydroelectric power installations nationwide as of 12.31.2021
Hydroelectric power of each Autonomous Community compared to national hydroelectric power
Water energy
International comparison
Water energy
Generation
Wind energy
Installed capacity
Sun energy
Photovoltaic installed capacity