The load factor for electricity generation from hydropower in UK has fluctuated since 2010. In 2023, the load factor of hydro decreased from the previous year to 33.4 percent. Load factors are the ratio of how much electricity was produced as a share of the total generating capacity.Â
Role of hydropower in the energy mix
In 2023, hydropower accounted for approximately four percent of renewable electricity generation in the UK, generating 5,538 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Most of this was produced by large scale hydro. However, generation from small scale hydro has increased significantly since 2010.
Scottish hydropower
With its high levels of rainfall, mountains and lakes, Scotland unsurprisingly accounts for more than 80 percent of the hydroelectric resources in the UK. The cumulative capacity of hydropower in Scotland reached 1,668 megawatts in 2023. In comparison, the installed capacity in England was just 43 megawatts in the same year.