Since man discovered that power can be derived from the energy of falling or fast-running water, the race to harness it has been growing. Countries all over the world have invested heavily in constructing hydroelectric power stations to cater for the ever rising demand for electricity. The cost of hydroelectricity is relatively low, making it a competitive source of renewable electricity. The hydro station consumes no water, unlike coal or gas plants.
Here are the top 20 largest hydroelectric power stations in the world.
Rank | Name | Country | Installed capacity (megawatts) |
1. | Three Gorges Dam | China | 22,500 MW |
2. | Itaipu Dam | Brazil, Paraguay | 14,000 MW |
3. | Xiluodu | China | 13,860 MW |
4. | Belo Monte | Brazil | 11,233 MW |
5. | Guri | Venezuela | 10,235 MW |
6. | Tucuruí | Brazil | 8,370 MW |
7. | Grand Coulee | United States | 6,809 MW |
8. | Xiangjiaba | China | 6,448 MW |
9. | Longtan Dam | China | 6,426 MW |
10. | Sayano-Shushenskaya | Russia | 6,400 MW |
11. | Krasnoyarsk | Russia | 6,000 MW |
12. | Nuozhadu | China | 5,850 MW |
13. | Robert-Bourassa | Canada | 5,616 MW |
14. | Churchill Falls | Canada | 5,428 MW |
15. | Tarbela Dam | Pakistan | 4,888 MW |
16. | Jinping-II | China | 4,800 MW |
17. | Bratsk | Russia | 4,515 MW |
18. | Laxiwa Dam | China | 4,200 MW |
19. | Xiaowan Dam | China | 4,200 MW |
20. | Ust Ilimskaya | Russia | 3,840 MW |
