Discussion on the development direction of hydropower in China

Hydropower is the second largest conventional energy resource in China. It is a renewable energy with mature technology, flexible operation, cleanliness and low carbon. A hydropower project has flood control, a water supply, navigation, irrigation and other comprehensive utilization functions. The new era in China is guided by the new energy-security strategy of ‘four revolutions and one cooperation’ and the new development concept of ‘innovation, coordination, green development, openness and sharing’. According to the dual nature of water and electricity, this paper deepens the basic understanding of hydropower from the experience of the world, the difficult problems of hydropower in China and the long-term development of hydropower enterprises. The future direction of hydropower development is explored from the following aspects: high-quality development of follow-up hydropower projects, innovative utilization of existing hydropower value, creative pursuit of hydropower-benefit growth and high-level promotion of hydropower international cooperation.