The Basics
Dates: August 30 – September 3, 2027
Event Location: Georgia World Congress Center | Atlanta, Georgia
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA
Questions: 816.588.4639 or send an email.
The Official All-Encompassing Water Power Event That’s for the Industry, by the Industry.
Clean Currents—the official water power trade show + conference of the non-profit National Hydropower Association—heads to Atlanta, Georgia in 2027. Join us to make water power connections that can transform your career, your operation—and our industry. We’re excited to bring Clean Currents 2027 to Atlanta, Georgia.
AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 3 | Atlanta, Georgia
We’re bringing Clean Currents 2027 back to Atlanta, Georgia, where the very first Clean Currents was held in 2021! We’re returning to our roots while keeping our focus firmly on the future—and Atlanta makes perfect sense. With more than 1,100 MW of hydropower and pumped storage projects within 100 miles, the region is a hub where innovation, infrastructure, and renewable energy converge.
Demand for reliable, renewable energy is surging, driven by electrification, data center expansion, and climate impacts. Atlanta is the perfect spot for the water power industry to come together. Hosted by Georgia Power, Clean Currents 2027 will explore the sustainability, security, and scalability strategies needed to meet growing energy demand and move water power forward.
Six Reasons to Attend Clean Currents
CONNECT with the right people from across an invested water power community. More than a thousand water power professionals are expected to attend, from our core community of power producers to industry suppliers/partners and subject matter experts.
MAXIMIZE your professional development dollars. Clean Currents makes learning from peers throughout the North American water power industry easy and efficient. Just a few focused days away from your desk sets you up for long-term success in your role.
EXPLORE the latest solutions from across the water power supply chain. Learn how to improve operations, ensure safety, and support environmental sustainability.
EXPERIENCE innovation and visionary thinking and gain new insights. Hear from speakers with an eye toward the future and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
BUILD the clean energy future. Capitalize on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, drive innovation, address water power workforce development, and find answers to industry challenges.
SUPPORT your industry’s advocate. Reinvested proceeds from Clean Currents help fund the National Hydropower Association’s advocacy efforts for the water power industry—improving the industry for all of us.
See our “Who Should Attend” section for more reasons to join us in Atlanta!
How your contributions support the growth and success of the water power industry
100%
of the funds
raised during Clean Currents are reinvested in support of our industry
$750
Million
in funds earmarked in the investment & infrastructure act
30%
increase
in tax credits for new pumped storage for 10 years
Legal support on landmark cases moving through the courts
The Clean Currents Story
By the Industry. For the Industry. For Now and Into the Future.
The headwaters that formed the National Hydropower Association’s Clean Currents tradeshow + conference originated from a desire throughout the water power community that it was time for the industry, in particular, NHA, to develop a bold, new event that would bring the industry together for the betterment of the industry.
The vision was an event dedicated to advancing conventional hydropower, pumped storage, small hydro, and marine energy as reliable and flexible sources of clean energy now and into the future. This vision aligned with NHA’s growth and evolution in its leadership to position water power for success in the decades to come.
We Began With Industry Feedback…
We started by listening to water power’s generators, manufacturers, and suppliers. In 2018, NHA began to solicit input from members and non-members on industry event wants and needs. Our process included in-depth listening sessions with NHA members.
As a result of the input we were gathering, the NHA Board of Directors created a “New Event” Advisory Committee in 2019. The committee was charged with setting in motion a plan to develop a new water power event that would launch in 2021.
…Then Created Clean Currents to Meet Industry Needs
The constructive dialogue and insights gathered during our listening phase guided us to design the Clean Currents experience around:
Reinvestment in our Industry
A key driver in the creation of Clean Currents was the observation by NHA and industry representatives that the returns on investments in national events were not necessarily flowing back into the industry. Proceeds from Clean Currents fund NHA’s work to secure hydropower’s place as a climate-friendly, renewable, and reliable energy source that serves national environmental, energy, and economic policy objectives.
Innovation and Growth
We identified a need for a “space” that would foster industry research and development, information exchange, and innovation. This is critical to help the industry grow its current 101 gigawatts (GW) of capacity by nearly 50 GW by 2050, as outlined in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydropower Vision report, published in 2016. Facilitating innovation is also critical to harnessing the potential 90 GW from marine energy estimated by the U.S. hydropower industry. We’re thinking forward! A spirit of innovation and growth flows through all aspects of Clean Currents—from conference programming to the tradeshow floor. Together, we will explore ways to leverage promising new technologies along with proven products and solutions to increase hydropower generation.
A Better Mix of Attendee Types
Clean Currents continues to attract power producers and project developers from across the water power industry, bringing together the companies that own, operate, and develop water power projects with the vendors and service providers who support them. As participation grows, Clean Currents remains a valuable place to build relationships, share insights, and connect with decision-makers from across the industry.
See the companies that attended Clean Currents 2026 in Phoenix, AZ.
A Bigger Tent
Before the formation of Clean Currents, there wasn’t one event that would allow all sectors of the water power industry to convene, communicate, and collaborate. Clean Currents brings together professionals from conventional hydropower, pumped storage, small hydro, marine energy, government agencies, regulators, NGOs, and consultants. Clean Currents continues to attract a full spectrum of industry roles, including executive leadership, engineers, portfolio managers, operations superintendents/managers, portfolio managers, general managers, and subject matter experts. See our Who Should Attend section for more reasons to join us in Atlanta!
Expanded Education
Industry perceptions of education opportunities available at other national events are that they are too focused on technical education or that the content changes little from year to year. Furthermore, exhibiting organizations do not have access to educational programming. Clean Currents’ educational programming is unique, comprehensive, accessible, and driven by industry thought leaders. Topics include safety, security, markets, environmental enhancement, engineering, operations and maintenance, licensing/regulatory, and more.
The Next Current:
Mark your calendar for future conferences
Clean Currents 2028
Dates: September 24-29, 2028
Location: Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon
About NHA
The National Hydropower Association is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting the growth of clean, affordable US water power in all of its forms, ranging from conventional hydropower to pumped storage to marine energy. It seeks to secure water power’s place as a climate-friendly, renewable, and reliable energy source that serves national environmental, energy, and economic policy objectives.
NHA represents more than 300 organizations in the North American water power industry, from Fortune 500 corporations to family-owned small businesses.
All proceeds from Clean Currents will go directly toward funding the work of NHA.