Hydropower – renewable electricity with very low direct CO₂ emissions during generation
Hydropower is the most important form of renewable energy in the Nordic countries. It is a steady source of power that generates electricity without direct CO₂ emissions during operation. And with only water as an input, the low operating costs of hydropower stabilise the price of electricity for everyone.
Renewable energy source
Hydropower generates electricity without direct CO₂ emissions during operation and can support the transition to a lower-carbon energy system.
Flexible
Changes in demand can be met by increasing water flow to generate more electricity.
Renewable
Water behind a dam is a renewable energy source that does not need to be purchased.
Supporting lower-carbon electricity generation
A low-carbon energy future requires electricity generation technologies with low greenhouse gas emissions. For us, hydropower provides much-needed electricity while also playing an important role in providing low-carbon electricity and supporting the transition away from fossil fuel-based power generation.
Flexible electricity generation
More production capacity is needed during times of peak power demand. While coal-fired electricity could be used to fill the gap, hydropower and water flow management offer enough flexibility to meet changes in demand while providing electricity generation with no direct CO₂ emissions during operation.
of power capacity
4,669 MW
of electricity produced
~22 TWh
share of Fortum's power generation
45 %
Related news
Online news
Fishheart fishway has carried more than 12,500 fish over Fortum’s Leppikoski hydropower plant
Get to know our Hydropower plants
Environmental approach
We work to manage and reduce the environmental impacts associated with our hydropower operations.
Environmental projects
We implement environmental measures that in several areas exceed regulatory requirements
Power trading and energy supply
Customized electricity trading, procurement and risk handling solutions
FAQ - Hydropower
Fossil-free power generation method that uses the energy created by water flowing through a dammed waterway to create electricity.
Hydropower plants utilise the difference in height between the dammed water and the outflow area to generate water flow energy which rotates a turbine that drives an electric generator. The same water can then be utilised again in the next plant downstream.
Fortum owns/operates about 124 hydroelectric power stations in the Nordic region.
Yes, our hydroelectric power plants are built to withstand a flood that statistically occurs every 700 to 5000 years and we invest millions of Euros in dam safety every year.