Here’s a list of the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world based on installed capacity (megawatts or MW):
1. Three Gorges Dam – China
- Location: Hubei Province, China
- Capacity: 22,500 MW
- River: Yangtze River
- Overview: The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydroelectric plant in terms of installed capacity. It plays a crucial role in flood control, river navigation, and electricity generation.
2. Itaipu Dam – Brazil/Paraguay
- Location: Paraná River, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay
- Capacity: 14,000 MW
- River: Paraná River
- Overview: Itaipu is a binational hydroelectric plant that has consistently been one of the top electricity producers globally. It supplies around 75% of Paraguay’s electricity and a significant portion of Brazil’s.
3. Xiluodu Dam – China
- Location: Sichuan Province, China
- Capacity: 13,860 MW
- River: Jinsha River (a tributary of the Yangtze River)
- Overview: As one of China’s largest power plants, Xiluodu provides substantial power to western and central China and contributes to flood control and river management.
4. Belo Monte Dam – Brazil
- Location: Pará, Brazil
- Capacity: 11,233 MW
- River: Xingu River
- Overview: Belo Monte is one of the largest hydropower projects in the world, developed to meet Brazil’s growing energy demand, although it has faced controversy due to environmental and indigenous community concerns.
5. Guri Dam – Venezuela
Overview: The Guri Dam supplies a large percentage of Venezuela’s electricity and is one of the largest hydro plants in the world by capacity.tae dicta sunt, explicabo.
Location: Bolívar, Venezuela
Capacity: 10,235 MW
River: Caroní River
6. Tucuruí Dam – Brazil
- Location: Pará, Brazil
- Capacity: 8,370 MW
- River: Tocantins River
- Overview: This plant is a major contributor to Brazil’s power grid, particularly for the northern part of the country.
7. Grand Coulee Dam – United States
- Location: Washington State, USA
- Capacity: 6,809 MW
- River: Columbia River
- Overview: The Grand Coulee Dam is the largest hydroelectric facility in the United States and provides power across multiple states in the western U.S.
8. Xiangjiaba Dam – China
- Location: Sichuan-Yunnan border, China
- Capacity: 6,448 MW
- River: Jinsha River
- Overview: Xiangjiaba supports China’s power needs and is part of a series of dams on the Jinsha River to generate large-scale hydropower.
9. Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam – Russia
- Location: Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
- Capacity: 6,400 MW
- River: Yenisei River
- Overview: The largest power station in Russia, Sayano-Shushenskaya has faced challenges, including a major accident in 2009, but remains a key part of Russia’s energy infrastructure.
10. Longtan Dam – China
- Location: Guangxi Province, China
- Capacity: 6,426 MW
- River: Hongshui River
- Overview: Longtan is one of China’s top hydropower projects, contributing to the national grid while managing flood risks in the region.
Honorable Mentions:
These power plants also have substantial capacities:
- Nuozhadu Dam (China) – 5,850 MW
- Robert-Bourassa Generating Station (Canada) – 5,616 MW
- Chief Joseph Dam (United States) – 2,620 MW
These plants not only represent massive engineering feats but also contribute significantly to the renewable energy capacities of their respective countries.
