Run-of-river (ROR) hydropower is a type of hydroelectric generation plant whereby little or no water storage is provided. When developed with care to footprint size and location, ROR projects can create sustainable energy minimizing impacts to the surrounding environment and nearby communities.

ROR hydropower projects are different in design and appearance from conventional hydropower projects. Traditional hydro dams store enormous quantities of water in reservoirs, necessitating the flooding of large tracts of land, including environmental disruption, tree cutting and tunneling, which is capital intensive and takes 3-5 years for traditional hydro project build-outs.

In contrast, small ROR projects do not require a large impoundment of water, which is a key reason why such projects are environmentally friendly.