Hydroelectric power plants are currently the world’s main source of renewable energy.
There is more than 1,000 gigawatts of installed capacity worldwide, with production reaching 1,437 gigawatts, according to data from the International Energy Agency.
According to the same agency, hydropower will continue to grow at a significant rate, expecting its current capacity to double, thus exceeding 2,000 kilowatts of installed power by 2050.
Advantages of hydropower
Compared to other energy sources, hydroelectric power plants ensure the following:
- High level of reliability
- Proven technology
- Lowest operating and maintenance costs in the market
Hydropower is the main source of renewable energy, ahead of wind power, which comes in second with a capacity of 350 gigawatts.
This renewable energy source has huge development potential, especially in countries such as Africa, Asia and Latin America. The reasons why the International Energy Agency expects that by 2050 the installed capacity will reach 2,000 gigawatts, with global electricity production from this source of nearly 7,000 terawatt hours!
Investing in hydropower plants in developing countries are projects that will improve access to electricity services, as well as reduce global poverty, where even drinking water and electricity are inaccessible.
Learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of hydropower.
How do hydroelectric power plants work?
Hydroelectric power plants use the power of water to generate energy. Hydroelectric power is thus obtained by using the kinetic and potential power of water currents, thus producing electricity, which is one of the oldest renewable energy sources in the world, and the most widely used worldwide to provide electricity for our homes.
Currently, China is the largest producer of this type of renewable energy in the world, followed by Brazil, Canada, the United States and Russia, the countries with the largest hydroelectric power plants in the world!
The largest hydroelectric power plants in the world
Hydroelectric power stationThree Gorges“
Its installed capacity is 22,500 megawatts! It is located in Yichang, China, on the Yangtze River. It is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world! Its construction began in 1993 and was not completed until 2012 at a cost of 18 billion euros!
This dam is 181 meters high and 2335 meters long.
Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant
Its installed capacity is 14,000 megawatts! Located on the Paraná River, on the border between Brazil and Paraguay, it is the second largest hydroelectric power station in the world.
Construction began in 1975 and was completed in 1982 at a total cost of €15 billion.
Shiludu Hydroelectric Power Plant
Its installed power is 13,860 MW! Stay in Rio GenshaNear Sichuan, China. It is the second largest hydropower station in China, and the third largest in the world. At a total cost of €5.5 billion, construction began in 2005 and was completed in 2013.
It is operated by Three Gorges Project Corporation, one of the world’s largest energy companies.
Gori Hydroelectric Power Plant
Its installed power is 10,235 megawatts! It is located in Venezuela, on the Caroni River, and is also known as Simon Bolivar.
Construction began in 1963 and was completed in two phases. The first was completed in 1978 and the second in 1986.
Tokoroi Hydroelectric Power Plant
Its installed capacity is 8370 MW! It is located on the Tocantins River, TocuruÃ, Brazil. At a cost of 4 billion euros, it began operating in 1975, and was completed in 1984 in the first phase, then in 1998 the second phase of the hydroelectric station expansion began, and was completed in 2010.
