Many nations are moving towards hydropower, making steps towards greater energy independence.
The amount of energy produced by hydropower globally is expected to grow by 50 to 100 per cent by 2050. 
Nations like China and Brazil have invested heavily in the sector, recognising its benefits as a renewable and clean source of energy.
Substantial growth is predicted in the next decade in Asia, Africa and South America.
By far the largest push towards hydropower has been in China where the Three Gorges Dam is now the world's largest hydropower station with a generating capacity of 22.5 GW.
So why are so many nations moving towards hydropower?
What are the benefits of hydroelectricity stations?
Adding hydropower into the mix of electricity generation can make a huge difference to nations striving to meet carbon reduction targets.
Hydropower uses the power of gravity and falling water to generate electricity.
That means far less pollution compared to burning fossil fuels.
In Uruguay increasing the amount of hydropower in the electricity mix has allowed the nation to generate 95 per cent of their electricity from clean energy.
Over the last decade the nation has slashed its carbon footprint, without the use of government subsidies, or higher costs to consumers.
Hydropower also allows many nations to take steps towards energy independence.
Since water is readily available in every nation, it allows countries to mitigate the risks involved with the volatility of fossil fuel import costs.
They don't need to rely on pipelines from other nations, or coal imports by sea.
Power can be generated and used within the same country.
Unlike fossil fuels, which are rapidly being depleted, water is renewable.
It's also fast.
It takes just 90 seconds to produce electricity that is ready to sell to the grid.
In Australia, like many other nations, water that runs off from the power station can then be used to irrigate crops, allowing more productive farms and food production.