Hydropower Generation in the U.S. Reduced by 6 Percent in 2023 as Reported by EIA

By Anshula Mandaokar , 03 November, 2023

The United States faced a shortage in water supply in the summer of 2023 due to specific weather events. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) declared to reduce the United States hydropower generation by 6 percent in 2023.

In the United States, more than half of the country's hydropower is generated in the Northwest region. According to EIA, loss of water supply due to more than average temperature in May 2023 has resulted in the loss of water supply. The loss of water supply is due to snow melting rapidly in the Northwest region of the United States in summer 2023, as measured by Snow Water Equivalent. Based on EIA's data, hydropower production in the first half of 2023 was 24 percent less in the Northwest region of the United States compared to the initial phase of 2022. Further, the hydropower generation in the Northwest part of the United States declined by 19 percent in 2023, as reported by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

In contrast, California accounted for 94 percent more hydropower generation in the initial months of 2023 due to the highest winter precipitation in the same year. Therefore, increased hydropower generation in the California region of the United States also offsets the fall in the hydropower generation in the Northwest part of the United States in 2023. Experts report that hydropower generation in the United States is 99 percent more compared to 2022.

The data given by the EIA reported 6.2 percent of the United States utility-scale electricity production in 2022. Studies advise that EL Nino conditions will impact the hydropower generation and water supply for the rest of 2023. In the United States, solar and wind power generation is increasing by replacing conventional power generation from other renewable sources like coal and electric power generation in 2023. 

Annual Hydropower Generation, United States (2015-2023)