The World's 10 Largest Power Plants: 2026 Installation Capacities

Overview of the World's Largest Power Plants

The world's largest power plants play a significant role in global energy production. These plants, based on different energy sources such as hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear, power millions of people and support economies and societies. The total installation capacity of the world's 10 largest power plants exceeds 150 GW as of 2026.

At the top of the list is the Three Gorges hydroelectric power plant, with an installation capacity of 22,500 MW. This massive plant contributes over 10% to China's total electricity production and meets a significant portion of the country's energy needs. Other large power plants include the 13,860 MW Baihetan hydroelectric power plant, the 14,000 MW Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, and the 13,320 MW Xiluodu hydroelectric power plant.

These large power plants are important not only in terms of electricity production but also in terms of their contribution to the economies and energy production of countries. For example, the 11,233 MW Belo Monte hydroelectric power plant in Brazil meets 15% of the country's energy needs. Similarly, the 10,235 MW Guri hydroelectric power plant in Venezuela has a significant share in the country's energy production.

To learn more about the world's largest power plants, you can explore power plants by country. This can be a valuable resource for better understanding global energy production and appreciating the importance of large power plants.

Three Gorges and Baihetan Power Plants

The Three Gorges and Baihetan hydroelectric power plants are among the world's largest power plants. The Three Gorges plant, with an installation capacity of 22,500 MW, is one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants. Construction began in 1994 and was completed in 2012, making it one of China's largest energy production centers.

The Baihetan plant, with an installation capacity of 16,000 MW, is considered the world's second-largest hydroelectric power plant after the Three Gorges. Construction began in 2017 and was completed in 2021, significantly increasing China's energy production capacity.

Plant	Installation Capacity (MW)	Construction Year
Three Gorges	22,500	1994-2012
Baihetan	16,000	2017-2021

The Three Gorges and Baihetan power plants play a significant role in hydroelectric energy production. These plants make up a significant portion of China's energy production capacity and meet the country's energy needs. As major contributors to global energy production, these plants hold great importance in the energy sector.

The technical specifications of the Three Gorges and Baihetan power plants are also noteworthy. Both plants utilize advanced technology to increase energy production and efficiency, providing more efficient energy production and reducing energy loss.

South America's Giants: Itaipu and Belo Monte

The Itaipu and Belo Monte hydroelectric power plants in South America are among the world's largest power plants. The Itaipu plant, located on the border of Brazil and Paraguay, was built in 1984 and has an installation capacity of 14,000 MW. The Belo Monte plant, located in Brazil, was completed in 2016 and has an installation capacity of 11,233 MW.

The Itaipu plant contributes 15% of Brazil's total electricity production and 90% of Paraguay's total electricity production, with an annual production of 103 TWh. The Belo Monte plant contributes 10% to Brazil's total electricity production.

The technical specifications of the Itaipu and Belo Monte power plants are also notable. The Itaipu plant consists of 20 turbines, each with a capacity of 14 MW, while the Belo Monte plant consists of 24 turbines, each with a capacity of 11.2 MW. Both plants were designed and built for high-efficiency electricity production.

These massive power plants in South America demonstrate the importance of hydroelectric energy in the global energy mix. Hydroelectric energy, as a renewable and clean energy source, holds a significant share in global energy production. You can learn more about hydroelectric energy and its role in the energy sector.

Plant Name	Installation Capacity (MW)	Annual Electricity Production (TWh)	Contribution to Country's Total Electricity Production (%)
Itaipu	14,000	103	15 (Brazil), 90 (Paraguay)
Belo Monte	11,233	40	10 (Brazil)

Asia's Large Power Plants: Xiluodu and Wudongde

The Xiluodu and Wudongde hydroelectric power plants in Asia are among the world's largest power plants. The Xiluodu plant, completed in 2022, has an installation capacity of 13,860 MW, making it one of China's largest hydroelectric power plants. The Wudongde plant, completed in 2021, has an installation capacity of 10,200 MW.

Both plants play a significant role in hydroelectric energy production. The Xiluodu plant contributes 2.5% to China's total energy production, with an annual average energy production of 57.12 billion kWh. The Wudongde plant contributes 1.8% to China's total energy production, with an annual average energy production of 39.15 billion kWh.

The technical specifications of the Xiluodu and Wudongde power plants are also noteworthy. Both plants are equipped with high-efficiency turbines and generators. Additionally, the construction of these plants prioritized the protection of local communities and the environment, making them an important example of sustainability and environmental friendliness in hydroelectric energy production.

WorldPowerPlants.com provides detailed information about power plants. You can visit the country pages to learn more about the energy production and power plant capacities of each country.

Plant Name	Installation Capacity (MW)	Annual Energy Production (billion kWh)	Construction Year
Xiluodu	13,860	57.12	2022
Wudongde	10,200	39.15	2021

North and South America's Large Power Plants

North and South America host some of the world's largest power plants. In this section, we will provide information about the capacities, construction years, and technical specifications of the Grand Coulee and Tucurui power plants.

The Grand Coulee power plant, located in the state of Washington, USA, has an installation capacity of 6,809 MW. Built in 1942, it is one of the country's largest hydroelectric power plants, with an annual energy production of 21 billion kWh, contributing 10% to the USA's total hydroelectric energy production.

The Tucurui power plant, located in Brazil, has an installation capacity of 8,550 MW. Built in 1984, it is one of the country's largest hydroelectric power plants, with an annual energy production of 30 billion kWh, contributing 15% to Brazil's total hydroelectric energy production.

Both plants play a significant role in hydroelectric energy production. The Grand Coulee plant is located on the Columbia River and converts the potential energy of the water into electricity. The Tucurui plant is located on the Tocantins River and also converts the potential energy of the water into electricity.

WorldPowerPlants.com provides detailed information about power plants. You can visit the country pages to learn more about the energy production and power plant capacities of each country.

Plant	Installation Capacity (MW)	Construction Year	Annual Energy Production (kWh)
Grand Coulee	6,809	1942	21 billion
Tucurui	8,550	1984	30 billion

Comparison of the World's Largest Power Plants

Comparing the world's largest power plants is essential for understanding the different technologies used in energy production and the energy independence of countries. The following table lists the capacities, construction years, contributions to countries' total energy production, and technical specifications of the world's 10 largest power plants.

Plant Name	Capacity (MW)	Construction Year	Contribution to Country's Total Energy Production (%)	Technical Specification
Three Gorges	22,500	2012	11.4	Hydroelectric
Baihetan	16,000	2021	6.2	Hydroelectric
Itaipu	14,000	1984	15.6	Hydroelectric
Xiluodu	13,860	2021	5.5	Hydroelectric
Belo Monte	11,233	2016	4.2	Hydroelectric
Guri	10,235	1986	10.1	Hydroelectric
Wudongde	10,200	2020	4.1	Hydroelectric
Tucurui	8,550	2012	3.4	Hydroelectric
Grand Coulee	6,809	1942	2.5	Hydroelectric
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa	6,400	1993	2.2	Nuclear

You can visit our map page to explore the world's largest power plants.

Impact of Power Plants on Country Economies and Energy Production

The world's largest power plants play a significant role in the energy production of their respective countries. For example, the 22,500 MW Three Gorges power plant contributes 10% to China's total energy production. Similarly, the 13,860 MW Itaipu power plant contributes 15% to Brazil's and 90% to Paraguay's total energy production.

The economic impact of power plants is also significant. Energy production and exports can provide substantial revenue for countries. For example, the Grand Coulee power plant generates over $700 million in annual revenue for the state of Washington, USA. Similarly, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa power plant generates over $500 million in annual revenue for Japan's Niigata prefecture.

The technical specifications of power plants are also important. For example, the Xiluodu power plant, with an installation capacity of 13,860 MW, was built in 2013. The Wudongde power plant, with an installation capacity of 10,200 MW, was built in 2020. These plants play a significant role in hydroelectric energy production and contribute substantially to their countries' energy production.

WorldPowerPlants.com provides detailed information about power plants. The country pages contain information about the energy production and power plant capacities of each country. Here, you can learn more about the world's largest power plants and follow the latest developments in energy production.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the world's largest power plants?

The world's largest power plants are typically massive facilities that produce electricity on the scale of gigawatts (GW). These plants are usually hydroelectric, nuclear, or natural gas combined cycle (CCGT) plants.

In which countries are the largest power plants located?

The largest power plants are usually located in countries with high energy demand. Countries like China, the USA, India, and Russia host some of the world's largest power plants. Additionally, countries that are leaders in energy production also feature on this list.

How are the capacities of power plants determined?

The capacities of power plants are usually measured in megawatts (MW) or gigawatts (GW). The capacity of a plant is determined by energy demand, technology, and resources. For example, the capacity of a hydroelectric power plant is determined by water resources and the efficiency of its turbines.

How is the list of the world's largest power plants compiled?

The list of the world's largest power plants is compiled based on their energy production capacities. This list is typically published by energy agencies and research institutions. The list ranks plants based on factors like the technology used, resources, and capacity. For example, sources like WorldPowerPlants.com list the world's largest power plants.