A Tracing and Comparison of the Development of International Hydropower Resources

Abstract

Due to the lack of comprehensive and continuous tracking, the international water resources and its development and utilization data is difficult to meet the actual needs of the development of water resources development and management to provide accurate positioning of the status quo. This paper analyzes the achievements of hydropower resources development and water storage facilities in major countries, especially in developed countries, and analyzes the degree of hydropower development and utilization in China from an international perspective. Research shows that China is rich in hydropower resources, ranking first in the world, hydropower power generation is also ranked the forefront of the world. But the Hydropower economic development degree in 2013 is 52%,lower than the major developed countries which is more than 70% level. Chinas hydropower resources development and utilization is lower than the he average level of the countries which the human development index between 0.7 to 0.8. Some gross indexes of hydropower resouerces in China which ranked in the forefront of the world, but compared with developed countries, the gap about the level of development and utilization and the level of socio-economic development still exists.