Water is at present the leading renewable energy source used by electric utilities to generate electric power. Currently there are numerous hydro-electric power stations, providing around 20% of the world's electricity. The name "hydro" comes from the Greek word for water. The water cycle of evaporating from the heat of the sun and falling back to earth is continuous, thus hydropower is considered a renewable energy resource.

Hydropower facilities intercept the water on its descending path, converting its mechanical energy into electricity. Hydroelectric power plants operate where suitable waterways are available; many of the best of these sites have already been developed. Generating electricity using water has several advantages. Besides being a source of cheap power it has an advantage of no fuel combustion, there is negligible air pollution in comparison with fossil fuel power plants and limited thermal pollution compared to nuclear plants.

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