Hydropower Program
Reclamation is advancing the Administration’s energy priorities through its Hydropower Action Plan, which guides efforts to support affordable and reliable hydropower generation and policy objectives.
The Action Plan commits Reclamation to:
1. Direct Capital Investments at Reclamation facilities 2. Regulatory and Process Improvement. 3. Technological Innovation.The plan outlines capital improvements at hydropower facilities, efforts to simplify and streamline permitting for federal and non‑federal projects, and the use of advanced monitoring and analytics to reduce downtime and increase output. Collectively, these actions aim to expand hydropower capacity, reduce costs, and strengthen grid resilience.
Hydropower Action Plan One-Pager
Lease of Power Privilege
A Lease of Power Privilege (LOPP) is a contractual right given to a non-federal entity to use a Bureau of Reclamation project facility (e.g. dam or conduit) for electric power generation consistent with Reclamation project purposes. A LOPP project must not impair the efficiency of Reclamation generated power or water deliveries, jeopardize public safety, or negatively affect any other Reclamation project purposes.
The Lease of Power Privilege (LOPP) Processes, Responsibilities, Timelines, and Charges Directive and Standard (D&S) provides clear guidance and timelines on LOPP requirements, assigns roles and responsibilities within the organization for LOPP development, sets a standard methodology across Reclamation for the LOPP charges and identifies all potential charges for developers.
For additional information, visit the Lease of Power Privilege Website. The website offers guidance for potential developers, stakeholder groups, and Reclamation staff.
Lease of Power Privilege Website
Reclamation is committed to facilitating the development of non-federal hydropower on Reclamation Projects. Acting on this commitment, Reclamation has undertaken a number of activities including the completion of resource assessments, identifying technical hydropower potential at existing Reclamation facilities.
A number of Resource Assessment sites have been developed by non-federal entities, with many more sites in some stage of active development.
Conventional Hydropower Resource Assessments:
- Hydropower Resource Assessment at Existing Reclamation Facilities (March 2011)
- Site Inventory and Hydropower Energy Assessment of Reclamation Owned Conduits (March 2012)
- Hydropower Resource Assessment Sites Available for Development (August 2018)
Pumped Storage Resource Assessments:
- Pumped Storage Evaluation Special Study (July 2013)
- Pumped Storage Evaluation Special Study Report Figures
- Reclamation-Wide Pumped Storage Screening Study 1.2 (September 2014)
- Reclamation-Wide Pumped Storage Screening Study Appendices 1.2
For additional information see the Hydropower Program Reports and Data page.
Bureau of Reclamation Hydropower Generation Summary
The Bureau of Reclamation Hydropower Generation Summary identifies federal and non-federal hydropower facilities and associated generating capacity currently online or in development on Reclamation projects – and reports on incremental hydropower capability installed within the reported quarter(s), as applicable. The current release is available below. Previous releases - detailing federal and non-federal hydropower facilities and associated generating capacity currently online or in development on Reclamation projects - are available on the Hydropower Program Reports and Data page.
Bureau of Reclamation Hydropower Generation Summary (FY2026 Q3)
