Generation

Hydroelectric power generation was 35.5% higher than last year, due to higher rainfall, reaching 34,912 GWh. This accounted for 13.3% of total national electricity generation, which is much higher than last year's 9.8%

Hydroelectric power generation in Spain is highly variable, reaching over 40,000 GWh in wet years, while this volume is reduced by more than half in dry years. The year 2024 saw medium-high rainfall, with hydroelectric power generation reaching 34,912 GWh, 35.5% higher than in 2023. As a result, hydroelectric power contributed 13.3% of total national electricity generation, ranked fifth among generating technologies.

Evolution of hydroelectric power generation

Among all renewable energy sources, hydroelectric power ranked third, after wind power and solar photovoltaic, with 23.4% of the total renewable energy generated at the national level.

Annual share of hydroelectric power generation in total generation

In terms of hydroelectric power generation by autonomous community, Galicia, Castile and Leon, Aragon, and Catalonia were the communities with the highest hydroelectric electricity generation in 2024.

Hydroelectric power generation in 2024

Hydroelectric power generation in each autonomous community as a share of national hydroelectric power generation

Historically, the final months of winter and the early months of spring are the periods with the greatest water contribution, mainly due to thawing and also to the higher rainfall in those months.

In 2024, March was the month in which most hydroelectric power generation was delivered, with 4,737 GWh (17.5% higher than the maximum value in 2023). March was also the month with the highest contribution from this technology to overall electricity generation, with 21.5% of total generation that month, followed by April, with 19.6%. February 2014 continues to hold the record.

Monthly hydroelectric power generation, peaks, and share of total generation

One of the main advantages of this technology over other renewable energies is its manageability, which is evident from the average daily curve of the share of hydroelectric power in total generation, which shows how the greatest contribution of this technology coincides with peak demand in the morning and in the evening.

Average hourly profile of hydroelectric power generation as a share of total generation in 2024

Hydroelectric power generation by hydrographic zone