Hydroelectric power stations are an essential source of electricity generation. They are renewable, reliable, and do not emit any harmful gases during the generation process. Hydroelectric power stations use the natural flow of water to create electricity by harnessing its kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of the water turns the turbines, which in turn generate electricity. In this article, we'll discuss the top 10 largest hydroelectric power stations in the world, their features, and their contribution to the energy sector.
Three Gorges Dam, located in China, is the world's largest hydroelectric power station. It generates a whopping 22,500 MW of electricity. Built across the Yangtze River, it is 2,335m long, 181m high, and 115m wide.
Itaipu Dam, located on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, is the second-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It generates 14,000 MW of electricity. The dam measures 7,747m in length and 196m in height.
Xiluodu Dam, located in China's Yunnan Province, is the third-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It has a capacity of 13,860 MW of electricity. The dam is 285m high and 700m wide.
Guri Dam is located in Venezuela and is the fourth-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It has a capacity of 10,235 MW of electricity. The dam is 162m high and 7,426m long.
Tucurui Dam, located in Brazil, is the fifth-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It generates a capacity of 8,370 MW of electricity. The dam is 78m high and 12,750m long.
Grand Coulee Dam, located in the USA, is the sixth-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It has a capacity of 6,809 MW of electricity. The dam is 168m high and 1,592m wide.
Sayano-Shushenskaya Dam, located in Russia, is the seventh-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It generates a capacity of 6,400 MW of electricity. The dam is 245m high and 1,066m wide.
Longtan Dam, located in China, is the eighth-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It has a capacity of 6,300 MW of electricity. The dam is 216.5m high and 849m wide.
Cahora Bassa Dam is located in Mozambique and is the ninth-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It has a capacity of 2,075 MW of electricity. The dam is 171m high and 303.5m wide.
Robert-Bourassa Dam, located in Canada, is the tenth-largest hydroelectric power station in the world. It generates a capacity of 5,616 MW of electricity. The dam is 162m high and 2,865m long.
The Three Gorges Dam in China is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world, generating a capacity of 22,500 MW of electricity.
A hydroelectric power station harnesses the kinetic energy of water to produce electricity. Water is stored in a reservoir and is released through tunnels into turbines, which rotate and produce electricity.
Hydroelectric power stations are renewable, efficient, and do not emit any harmful gases during the generation process. They are a reliable source of electricity and can produce large amounts of energy.
Hydroelectric power stations require a large amount of water to generate electricity. They can also disrupt the ecosystems and habitats in the surrounding areas. They can be affected by droughts, which can reduce their energy output.
Hydroelectric power stations generate electricity by harnessing the kinetic energy of water, while other power stations, such as coal-fired power stations, produce energy by burning fossil fuels. Hydroelectric power stations are also renewable and do not release any harmful gases during the generation process.