Abstract: Hydropower resource is an important input factor in hydroelectric exploitation, but it is merely paid off in the current policy system in China. Unreasonable pricing methods result in ignorance of owners’ contribution, which causes unjust benefits-sharing and thus restricts the harmonious development of hydropower. This paper aims to discriminate the concept of hydropower resources and analyze the value of hydropower resource using the economic rent theory so as to develop a calculation model of hydropower resource economic rent based on hydroelectric tariff. The Three Gorges project is taken as a case study. The results show that hydropower resource is of a great value and should not be ignored in hydropower benefits-sharing stage. This study would lay a basis to construct a scientific and reasonable benefit-sharing system for better public understanding.