Here are the ten largest hydroelectric power plants globally, ranked by their generating capacity.
- Three Gorges Dam (China)
- Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay)
- Xiluodu Dam (China)
- Guri Dam (Venezuela)
- Tucuruí Dam (Brazil)
- Grand Coulee Dam (United States)
- Longtan Dam (China)
- Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam (Russia)
- Krasnoyarsk Dam (Russia)
- Robert-Bourassa Dam (Canada)
Hydropower stands as among the earliest and most extensively utilized renewable energy sources. Leading the globe in hydroelectric production, China manages three of the planet’s top ten largest hydroelectric power plants, with the Three Gorges project reigning as the largest. Power Technology has compiled a list of the world’s ten most significant hydroelectric power production facilities, ranked by their installed capacity.
The Three Gorges hydroelectric power plant in Yichang, Hubei province, China, stands as the largest of its kind globally, boasting an impressive 22.5GW capacity. Owned and operated by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTGC), this monumental project harnesses the Yangtze River’s water resources. Its construction, commencing in 1993 and concluding in 2012 at a cost of CNY203 billion ($29 billion), involved the creation of a massive 181m-tall, 2,335m-long gravity dam. The plant comprises 32 turbine/generator units, each rated at 700MW, along with two additional 50MW generators. Notably, Alstom was among the six foreign entities contributing equipment, providing 14 Francis turbine units.
Spanning the period from 2003 to 2012, the commissioning of the Three Gorges power station’s generating units culminated in an estimated annual power output of 85TWh. Serving nine provinces and two cities, including Shanghai, the plant plays a pivotal role in China’s energy landscape.
Meanwhile, in Brazil and Paraguay, the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, situated on the Parana River, shares the limelight with a commendable 14GW capacity. Operational since 1984, this joint venture between Brazil and Paraguay has made significant contributions to their energy portfolios. With 20 generating units, each capable of producing 700MW, Itaipu supplied 15% of Brazil’s energy consumption and a staggering 90% of Paraguay’s energy needs in 2018.
China’s Xiluodu hydropower plant, nestled on the Jinsha River, follows closely with a formidable 13.86GW capacity. Officially inaugurated in 2013, this project features pioneering engineering, including the world’s first ultra-high concrete double-curvature arch dam. Boasting 18 Francis turbine-generator units, each rated at 770MW, Xiluodu has been a significant contributor to China’s energy grid since its connection in June 2014.
Venezuela’s Guri power project, also known as the Simón Bolívar hydroelectric power station, commands attention with its 10.2GW capacity. Located on the Caroni River, this critical infrastructure, constructed in two phases during the 1970s and 1980s, has undergone refurbishments to enhance its efficiency. Notable suppliers such as Alstom and Andritz have played key roles in modernizing the plant, which supplies approximately 12,900GW/h of energy for Venezuela.
These examples represent a fraction of the global hydroelectric landscape, each showcasing remarkable engineering feats and substantial contributions to their respective nations’ energy security.