The 2025 World Hydropower Outlook: Focus on Pumped Storage, Modernisation and Market Readiness

The World Hydropower Outlook, the flagship annual publication by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), tracks and guides global hydropower development in line with net zero targets. Based on exclusive data from IHA’s global hydropower database, the 2025 edition will provide a comprehensive review of the sector’s progress, investment trends and enabling conditions—highlighting where the world stands and where it needs to go.

In 2025, the publication places a strong focus on pumped storage hydropower (PSH)—recognising its pivotal role in stabilising energy systems and supporting the rapid scale-up of variable renewables. The Outlook will provide a deep dive into storage economics, mapping the cost landscape for PSH in different markets and identifying where value can be unlocked through flexible services, policy reform and innovation.

The report will also assess the market conditions for modernising Europe’s aging hydropower fleet, identifying the economic and regulatory levers needed to enable reinvestment, digital upgrades and climate resilience. Alongside this, the publication will examine how the growing share of variable renewable energy is reshaping the investment environment, influencing project bankability, risk appetite and infrastructure planning.

A regional assessment and review will highlight key developments, barriers and enablers across major hydropower markets, providing targeted insights and case studies from around the world.

As always, the Outlook will shine a spotlight on the most critical hydropower projects currently in development—measuring the strength of the global pipeline against the pace required for net zero. It will also showcase examples of best practice, policy breakthroughs and emerging innovations that are shaping the future of sustainable hydropower.

Global Launch Event

The 2025 World Hydropower Outlook will be launched at a high-level global event in London at the EBRD offices in Canary Wharf. This event will bring together senior figures from governments, the diplomatic and financial communities, energy companies and leading experts. The launch will feature a presentation of the publication’s headline findings, followed by a panel discussion on the key themes—particularly around PSH, investment signals, and storage economics.

The launch will kick off a series of regional dialogues and webinars hosted throughout the year to explore the findings in local contexts. These events will offer stakeholders the opportunity to engage with the data, ask critical questions, and shape regional strategies for hydropower development.

Stay tuned for more details on the 2025 launch and roadshow programme.