Running out of power at night is one of the biggest challenges when building a base in Subnautica 2. While solar panels work well during the day, they stop generating electricity after sunset. That’s where the Hydroelectric Turbine comes in, as it generates electricity around the clock. This guide explains how to unlock the Hydroelectric Turbine, where to place it, how natural water currents affect its performance, and how to connect it to your base to provide a reliable energy source.
How to Unlock the Hydroelectric Turbine
Before you can build the Hydroelectric Turbine, you’ll need to scan one while exploring the game world. Once the scan is complete, the blueprint becomes available in your build menu.
Why Use Hydroelectric Turbines?
The biggest advantage of the Hydroelectric Turbine is that it doesn’t rely on sunlight. It provides a continuous supply of electricity, giving your base reliable power day and night.
Finding Natural Water Currents
The Hydroelectric Turbine only works inside natural water currents. These are not simply areas with open water. Instead, they are underwater currents that physically push your character in a specific direction.
You can identify them by:
- Being pushed by the water while swimming.
- A noticeable blue flowing visual effect surrounding the current.
- Clearly defined underwater channels where the current flows.
If the turbine isn’t placed inside one of these currents, it won’t generate any power.
Build Your Base Near a Current
Since the Hydroelectric Turbine must be placed inside a natural water current to generate electricity, it’s best to build your base nearby. Doing so makes it much easier to connect the turbine to your base, as you’ll need fewer Power Transmitters to transfer electricity.
Placing the Hydroelectric Turbine
When positioning the turbine, pay attention to the power output indicator displayed during placement.
You’ll see a small number appear while moving the blueprint around.
- 12 indicates the turbine will generate power.
- 0 means the location isn’t inside an active current.
Connecting the Turbine to Your Base
The Hydroelectric Turbine won’t power your base automatically. Instead, you’ll need to connect it using Power Transmitters.
- Place the Hydroelectric Turbine inside a natural current.
- Build a Power Transmitter nearby. Add a few additional Power Transmitters to reach your base. Once the transmitter network reaches your base, power begins flowing automatically.
