The Best Way to Plug Into the Hydropower Industry
The Gateway to America’s Hydropower Industry
The National Hydropower Association is the leading U.S. nonprofit dedicated exclusively to promoting clean, renewable hydropower and marine energy. Here’s what you need to know at a glance:
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 |
| Members | ~350 |
| Employees | 23 (growing 15.6% YoY) |
| Mission | Protect and promote all forms of water energy |
| Energy covered | Conventional hydro, pumped storage, hydrokinetic, tidal, ocean |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
Hydropower is already powering roughly 30 million American homes and supplying about 40% of U.S. renewable electricity. Yet the industry’s full potential — from new pumped storage projects to marine energy — depends on the right connections, policies, and partnerships.
That’s exactly what the National Hydropower Association exists to build.
Whether you’re a utility, an equipment manufacturer, or an infrastructure developer, plugging into the NHA’s network means access to policy advocacy, technical resources, and the people shaping the future of water power in America.
I’m Bill French, Sr., Founder and CEO of FDE Hydro™ and a participant in the Department of Energy’s Hydropower Vision Task Force, where I worked alongside national stakeholders — including those connected to the National Hydropower Association — to define next-generation hydropower solutions for the U.S. That background gives me a front-row view of how industry associations like the NHA drive real progress for developers, builders, and innovators in this space.
Related content about national hydropower association:
Understanding the National Hydropower Association
To understand the National Hydropower Association, we have to look at its roots. Founded in 1983, the NHA was established to provide a unified voice for an industry that provides the backbone of the American renewable grid. While many energy associations juggle various “green” technologies, the NHA is the only national trade association in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to the promotion of hydropower and marine energy.
The organization has seen significant growth recently, reflecting the renewed interest in waterpower as a climate solution. Currently, the NHA operates with a dedicated staff of 23 employees—a number that has grown by 15.6% year-over-year. This growth allows them to better serve their 10,000+ social media followers and a robust membership base that spans the entire country.
At the helm of this growth is Malcolm Woolf, who was named CEO and President of NHA in 2019. With a deep background in energy policy—including roles with the National Governors Association and the Maryland Energy Administration—Woolf has become a leading voice for the water power industry, advocating for the modernization of the fleet and the expansion of new technologies.
Membership Structure of the National Hydropower Association
The strength of the NHA lies in its diversity. With approximately 350 member organizations, the association represents the majority of domestic, non-federal hydroelectric producers. This isn’t just a club for big utilities; it’s a comprehensive ecosystem that includes:
- Public and Investor-Owned Utilities: From the Tennessee Valley Authority to Pacific Gas & Electric.
- Independent Power Producers: Companies developing and operating projects across North America.
- Equipment Manufacturers and Service Providers: The folks building the turbines, generators, and control systems.
- Engineering and Environmental Consultants: Experts focused on hydropower asset management and regulatory compliance.
- Legal Professionals: Specialized attorneys who navigate the complex world of FERC licensing.
Organizational Leadership and Governance
The NHA is governed by a structure designed to ensure all sectors of the industry have a seat at the table. The About the NHA page highlights a leadership team that draws from the brightest minds in the sector.
The governance includes:
- Board of Directors: Comprising leaders from organizations like Duke Energy, Southern Company, and the New York Power Authority.
- Executive Committee: A smaller group of officers, including a Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, who provide strategic oversight.
- Advisory Board: Industry veterans who offer long-term perspective on market trends.
This structure ensures that whether the topic is a small run-of-river project in the Northeast or a massive pumped storage facility in California, the association’s policy positions are well-informed and representative.
Advocacy and Policy: Driving the Waterpower Agenda
One of the primary reasons we value the National Hydropower Association is its sheer “clout” in Washington, D.C. They are the ones in the room when energy bills are being drafted, ensuring that hydropower isn’t the “forgotten renewable.”
The NHA’s current policy priorities are focused on reinvigorating hydropower through legislative and regulatory reform. A major focus is the Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act. This bipartisan bill proposes a 30% investment tax credit (ITC) for existing facilities to make necessary upgrades in safety, grid resilience, and environmental enhancements. By incentivizing these investments, the NHA aims to preserve the existing fleet while paving the way for new growth.
National Hydropower Association Engagement with FERC and USACE
Navigating the federal bureaucracy is a full-time job, and the NHA does it exceptionally well. They maintain a constant dialogue with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to advance the goals of hydropower development.
Recent wins in this area include:
- FERC NEPA Streamlining: FERC recently voted to streamline its environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for water power actions, providing much-needed regulatory certainty.
- USACE Policy Memo: Thanks to NHA advocacy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers advanced a policy memo encouraging non-federal investment in hydropower at Corps-owned facilities. This opens up massive potential for adding generation to existing dams that currently don’t produce power.
Advocacy Day and Water Power Week
Every year, the NHA hosts Water Power Week in Washington, D.C. This is the premier event for the industry, culminating in Advocacy Day. During this event, hundreds of industry professionals meet directly with U.S. Representatives and Senators to tell the story of waterpower.
To make this advocacy accessible year-round, the NHA provides the VoterVoice tool. This allows members to easily communicate industry priorities to their legislators with just a few clicks. If you want to see how you can get involved, you can learn more about Advocacy Day and start making an impact.
Resources and Programs for Industry Growth
Beyond the halls of Congress, the National Hydropower Association serves as a central hub for technical excellence and professional development. They recognize that for the industry to grow, we must share what works and learn from what doesn’t.
A standout program is the Operational Excellence Program (OpEx). This is a voluntary event-reporting system where owners and operators share “lessons learned” from facility operations. By cataloging these best practices, the NHA helps the entire industry improve safety and efficiency. This commitment to hydropower innovation is what keeps the U.S. fleet competitive on a global scale.
The National Hydropower Association Resource Library
For those looking to “dig deeper,” the NHA Resource Library is an absolute goldmine. It contains over 120 curated resources, including:
- Advocacy One-Pagers: Simple, data-driven sheets to help explain the benefits of hydro to local officials.
- Technical Webinars: Deep dives into topics like FERC Part 12D safety assessments or the future of cross-border power shifts.
- Workforce Solutions: Strategies and activities to attract the next generation of engineers and technicians to the waterpower field.
Regional Meetings and Networking
While the national focus is vital, hydropower is inherently local. The NHA hosts regional meetings across the country—from California and Alaska to the Northeast and Midwest. These meetings allow professionals to discuss hydropower construction in North America through a regional lens, addressing specific grid challenges and state-level regulations. It’s the best way to meet the folks working in your “backyard.”
The Strategic Role of Hydropower in a Net-Zero Future
As we move toward a net-zero economy, the National Hydropower Association is making it clear that you cannot reach climate goals without waterpower. Hydropower provides the flexible, carbon-free “baseload” that allows intermittent sources like wind and solar to succeed.
Currently, hydropower supports roughly 30 million homes and makes up about one-third of all U.S. renewable energy. This role was a major topic at the World Hydropower Congress 2023, where global leaders discussed how to accelerate sustainable development. For a look at where we are headed, check out our insights on the future of hydropower.
Pumped Storage and the AI Revolution
One of the most exciting developments in the industry is the surge in Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSH). Often called “The Ultimate Water Battery,” PSH represents 92% of all utility-scale energy storage in the United States.
With the explosion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the massive energy demands of data centers, PSH is uniquely positioned to provide the long-duration storage needed to keep the grid stable. There are currently over 60GW of proposed new pumped storage capacity in the development pipeline. This “next wave” of innovation is essential for supporting American technological dominance. You can read more about hydropowers-next-wave-innovations-and-impact on our blog.
Marine Energy and Next-Gen Technology
The NHA also looks “beyond the dam” to the future of marine energy. This includes a suite of predictable, clean energy technologies:
- Wave Energy: Capturing power from surface waves.
- Tidal Power: Utilizing the reliable ebb and flow of tides.
- Ocean Current and Riverine: Tapping into the constant movement of water.
- Ocean Thermal: Using temperature gradients to generate power.
These hydropower advancements and innovations for 2025 and beyond represent the next frontier of renewable energy, offering a predictable source of power that complements the existing grid.
Frequently Asked Questions about the NHA
What types of energy does the NHA promote?
The National Hydropower Association represents all forms of water-based renewable energy. This includes conventional “dam-based” hydropower, pumped storage (the water battery), and marine energy (tidal, wave, ocean thermal, and hydrokinetic river systems).
How does the NHA support hydropower sustainability?
The NHA is a strong proponent of sustainable practices, often aligning with the principles of the San Jose Declaration. They advocate for hydropower retrofitting of existing non-powered dams, which allows for new energy generation with minimal additional environmental footprint. They also support investments in fish passage and ecosystem restoration.
What are the NHA’s recent policy wins?
Recent achievements include securing unanimous FERC support for streamlining NEPA reviews, advancing the USACE policy memo for non-federal investment, and successfully advocating for the extension of construction timelines for nearly three dozen hydropower projects in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Conclusion
The National Hydropower Association is more than just a trade group; it is the engine driving the modernization and expansion of America’s first renewable energy source. Through advocacy, resource sharing, and a commitment to innovation, the NHA ensures that waterpower remains the “guardian of the grid.”
At FDE Hydro™, we believe that the best way to support this mission is through smarter construction. Our patented French Dam technology—a modular precast concrete system—is designed to align perfectly with the NHA’s goals of reducing costs and timelines for both new builds and retrofits. By making it easier and faster to build sustainable water control systems, we help the industry meet the bold energy targets of the future.
If you’re ready to see how hydropower is protecting our energy future, read our 4 reasons why hydropower is the guardian of the grid.
Ready to innovate? Learn more about our innovative modular dam solutions and let’s build the next generation of clean energy together.
