Hydropower is a key element in the US energy system, and the Northwest contributes about half of the yearly total, according to the US Energy Information Administration. In 2021, that area suffered through a drought, which reduced its hydropower generation by 10%. From October 2021 until now, more typical weather conditions have resulted in a 17% boost in hydropower electricity generation, so 278 million megawatthours of hydropowered electricity are expected to be generated in its year.
