Which renewable source produced the most electricity worldwide in 2023?

Hydropower produced the most renewable electricity worldwide in 2023.

Hydroelectric stations convert the energy of moving or falling water into electricity. Dams can store water behind reservoirs, while run-of-river facilities generate power from the natural flow of a river. Both types depend on the water cycle.

Wind and solar power have expanded rapidly and are often described as the fastest-growing renewable technologies. Hydropower nevertheless retained the largest cumulative contribution to renewable electricity generation in 2023, supported by a large installed fleet built over many decades.

Hydropower generation is not identical to installed capacity. A plant’s annual output depends on water availability, operating rules, maintenance, and competing demands such as irrigation. Large reservoirs can also provide grid flexibility by changing output quickly when electricity demand rises.