In recent years, the rapid development of hydropower in the Asia-Pacific region has become the main driving force of global hydropower development. It is the fastest growing area of hydropower consumption in the world, with an increase of 4.3%. The fastest countries of the hydropower consumption growth in the region are Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam, with growth rates of 9.1%, 8.9% and 6.4% respectively, and the growth rate is at the world's leading level. In 2015, the proportion of electricity consumption from hydropower plants in the Asia-Pacific region is higher, accounting for 40.5% of the world's hydropower consumption, and hydropower consumption is still rising. Vietnam, Malaysia, Pakistan, India and other countries are accelerating the development of hydropower. In the future, the proportion of electricity consumption from hydropower plants in the Asia-Pacific region will be further enhanced.

The total population of the 10 ASEAN countries exceeds 600 million, of which 56% in the rural areas, 20% of the population so far with no access to electricity. There are many rivers in Southeast Asia, including the Red River, Mekong River, Chao Phraya River, Salween River, Irrawaddy River. The mountains and rivers are crossed, forming high drops, with huge hydropower potential, but the overall development rate of small hydropower is only 19%. The development rate of small hydropower for Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam is from 20% to 30%. Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos are in urgent need of electricity to meet the basic domestic demand.

Most of the South Asian countries are located in the southern slope of Himalaya, with Ganges, Indus and other rivers flowing through. The hydropower resources, especially the small hydropower potential is extremely rich, but the average development rate is only 20% so far. Among them, the SHP development rate of Pakistan and Nepal is only 12% and 5% respectively, the development rate very low and the potential great. In South Asian countries, the power coverage rate is generally not high, the living demand of residents for electricity is far from being met, the blackout often occurs.

Marshyangdi Hydropower Plant (A)

Syria, Egypt (in the Asian part) and other West Asian countries have built large hydropower projects. In December 2014, during his visit Egyptian President Seth proposed to China that China's technology be adopted to improve the utilization of hydropower resources in Aswan Dam, fully reflecting the government's emphasis on hydropower development.

In addition, Southeast Asian and West Asian countries have also paid much attention to the development of solar energy and wind energy, and laid a good foundation for research, project demonstration and promotion of hybrid system on hydropower, solar and wind energy.

In recent years, the overall development of the world's hydropower is weak. On the whole, due to the global economic impact, the world's hydropower consumption is declining. The hydropower development in Europe and the United States has been relatively saturated. The rapid development of hydropower in the Asia-Pacific region has become the main driving force of global hydropower development.