Hydroelectric power is the largest renewable source for electric power generation in Virginia (and in the United States). It represents just over 2% of Virginia’s electric power. Click here for more information.
Because hydroelectric power has been part of our electrical generation for many years, it is often excluded from discussions of renewable energy. Nationally, hydropower capacity is approximately 95,000 megawatts.
There are primarily two types of hydroelectric generation – conventional hydroelectric and pumped storage facilities. Conventional facilities are located on rivers where the construction of a dam and the water flowing across the dam allows water to flow through turbines. Pumped storage uses water stored in a basin above the turbines that is released at peak times to satisfy demand. That water flows into a lower basin and is held until it can be pumped back to the upper basin.