This article lists the largest power stations in the world, the ten overall and the five of each type, in terms of installed electrical capacity.Non-renewable power stations are those that run on coal, fuel oils, nuclear fuel, natural gas, oil shale and peat, while renewable power stations run on fuel sources such as biomass, geothermal heat, hydro, solar energy, solar heat, tides and the wind. Only the most significant fuel source is listed for power stations that run on multiple sources.
As of 2021, the largest power generating facility ever built is the Three Gorges Dam in China. The facility generates power by utilizing 32 Francis turbines each having a capacity of 700 MW and two 50 MW turbines, [1] totalling the installed capacity to 22,500 MW, more than twice the installed capacity of the largest nuclear power station, the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa (Japan) at 7,965 MW. As of 2019, no power station comparable to Three Gorges is under construction, as the largest under construction power station is the hydroelectric Baihetan Dam (16,000 MW). [2]
The proposed 20,000 MW Australia's Darwin Solar Park, for the Australia-Asia Power Link, would be slightly below the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam. [3] [4] The proposed Grand Inga Dam in the Democratic Republic of the Congo would surpass all existing power stations, including the Three Gorges Dam, if construction commences as planned. The design targets to top 39,000 MW in installed capacity, nearly twice that of the Three Gorges. [5] [6] [7] Another proposal, Penzhin Tidal Power Plant Project, presumes an installed capacity up to 87,100 MW.
At any point in time since the early 20th century, the largest power station in the world has been a hydroelectric power plant.
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Tuoketuo | ![]() | 40°11′49″N111°21′52″E / 40.19694°N 111.36444°E | 6,720 | [35] [36] |
2. | Taean | ![]() | 36°54′20.2″N126°14′4.9″E / 36.905611°N 126.234694°E | 6,100 | [57] |
3. | Dangjin | ![]() | 37°03′19″N126°30′35″E / 37.05528°N 126.50972°E | 6,040 | [58] [57] |
4. | Taichung | ![]() | 24°12′46″N120°28′52″E / 24.21278°N 120.48111°E | 5,500 | [59] [60] Uses bituminous coal |
5. | Waigaoqiao | ![]() | 31°21′21″N121°35′54″E / 31.35583°N 121.59833°E | 5,160 | [61] |
6. | Bełchatów | ![]() | 51°15′59″N19°19′50″E / 51.26639°N 19.33056°E | 5,102 | [62] Uses lignite |
7. | Yeongheung | ![]() | 37°14′17″N126°26′09″E / 37.23806°N 126.43583°E | 5,080 | [63] |
8. | Guodian Beilun | ![]() | 29°56′37″N121°48′57″E / 29.94361°N 121.81583°E | 5,060 | [64] |
9. | Guohua Taishan | ![]() | 21°52′00″N112°55′22″E / 21.86667°N 112.92278°E | 5,000 | [65] [66] |
Jiaxing | 30°37′46″N121°08′49″E / 30.62944°N 121.14694°E | ||||
10. | Vindhyachal | ![]() | 24°05′53″N82°40′18″E / 24.09806°N 82.67167°E | 4,760 | [67] |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Shoaiba | ![]() | 20°40′48″N39°31′24″E / 20.68000°N 39.52333°E | 5,600 | [68] |
2. | Ghazlan | ![]() | 26°51′15″N49°53′56″E / 26.85417°N 49.89889°E | 4,528 [69] | [70] |
3. | Kashima | ![]() | 35°52′47″N140°41′22″E / 35.87972°N 140.68944°E | 4,400 [71] | [72] |
4. | Anegasaki | ![]() | 35°29′06″N140°01′00″E / 35.48500°N 140.01667°E | 3,600 [69] | [72] |
5. | Qurayyah | ![]() | 25°50′40″N50°7′31″E / 25.84444°N 50.12528°E | 3,927 [69] | [73] [74] |
6. | Yokohama | ![]() | 35°28′36″N139°40′44″E / 35.47667°N 139.67889°E | 3,379 [69] | [72] |
7. | Hirono | ![]() | 37°14′18″N141°01′04″E / 37.23833°N 141.01778°E | 3,200 [71] | [72] |
8. | Sabiya I | ![]() | 2,400 | [75] | |
8. | Az Zour South | ![]() | 2,400 | [76] | |
8. | Doha West | ![]() | 2,400 | [77] |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Plant | ![]() | 25°03′35″N55°07′02″E / 25.05972°N 55.11722°E | 8,695 | [22] |
2. | Surgut-2 | ![]() | 61°16′46″N73°30′45″E / 61.27944°N 73.51250°E | 5,687 [78] | [79] [80] |
3. | Futtsu | ![]() | 35°20′35″N139°50′02″E / 35.34306°N 139.83389°E | 5,040 | [72] |
4. | Tatan | ![]() | 25°01′34″N121°02′50″E / 25.02611°N 121.04722°E | 4,986 | [81] |
5. | Kawagoe | ![]() | 35°00′25″N136°41′20″E / 35.00694°N 136.68889°E | 4,802 | [80] |
6. | Burullus Power Station (German) | ![]() | 31°31′46″N30°48′32″E / 31.52944°N 30.80889°E | 4,800 | [82] |
7. | Higashi-Niigata | ![]() | 37°59′58″N139°14′29″E / 37.99944°N 139.24139°E | 4,780 | [83] |
8. | Chiba | ![]() | 35°33′57″N140°06′20″E / 35.56583°N 140.10556°E | 4,380 | [72] |
9. | Himeji | ![]() | 34°46′24″N134°41′38″E / 34.77333°N 134.69389°E | 4,086 | [84] [85] |
10. | Phú Mỹ | ![]() | 10°36′20″N107°02′12″E / 10.60556°N 107.03667°E | 3,900 | [86] |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | Kashiwazaki-Kariwa | ![]() | 37°25′45″N138°35′43″E / 37.42917°N 138.59528°E | 7,965 (out of service since 2011) | [24] [25] [26] |
1. | Kori | ![]() | 35°19′40″N129°18′03″E / 35.32778°N 129.30083°E | 7,489 | [87] |
2. | Hanul | ![]() | 37°05′34″N129°23′01″E / 37.09278°N 129.38361°E | 7,268 | [32] |
3. | Bruce | ![]() | 44°19′31″N81°35′58″W / 44.32528°N 81.59944°W | 6,610 | [88] |
4. | Hongyanhe | ![]() | 39°48′7″N121°28′30″E / 39.80194°N 121.47500°E | 6,366 | [44] |
5. | Fuqing | ![]() | 25°26′45″N119°26′50″E / 25.44583°N 119.44722°E | 6,120 | [89] |
6. | Tianwan | ![]() | 34°41′13″N119°27′35″E / 34.68694°N 119.45972°E | 6,100 | [90] |
7. | Yangjiang | ![]() | 21°42′35″N112°15′38″E / 21.70972°N 112.26056°E | 6,000 | [89] |
8. | Hanbit | ![]() | 35°24′54″N126°25′26″E / 35.41500°N 126.42389°E | 5,875 | [32] |
- | Zaporizhzhia | ![]() | 47°30′44″N34°35′09″E / 47.51222°N 34.58583°E | 5,700 (out of service since 2022) | [91] [92] |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Eesti | ![]() | 59°16′10″N27°54′08″E / 59.26944°N 27.90222°E | 1,615 | [93] [94] |
2. | Balti | ![]() | 59°21′12″N28°07′22″E / 59.35333°N 28.12278°E | 765 | [93] [94] |
3. | Auvere | ![]() | 59°21′12″N28°7′22″E / 59.35333°N 28.12278°E | 300 | |
4. | Huadian | ![]() | 100 | [95] | |
5. | Kohtla-Järve | ![]() | 59°23′45″N27°14′31″E / 59.39583°N 27.24194°E | 39 |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Shatura | ![]() | 55°35′00″N39°33′40″E / 55.58333°N 39.56111°E | 1,500 | [note 1] [ citation needed ] |
2. | Kirov | ![]() | 58°37′16″N49°35′47″E / 58.62111°N 49.59639°E | 300 | [96] |
3. | Keljonlahti | ![]() | 62°11′33″N25°44′14″E / 62.19250°N 25.73722°E | 209 | [97] |
4. | Toppila | ![]() | 65°02′15″N25°26′07″E / 65.03750°N 25.43528°E | 190 | [97] |
5. | Haapavesi | ![]() | 64°07′19″N25°24′47″E / 64.12194°N 25.41306°E | 154 | [99] |
Station | Country | Geographic coordinate system | Capacity (MW) | Main fuel | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drax (units 1–4) | ![]() | 53°44′8.9″N0°59′47.0″W / 53.735806°N 0.996389°W | 2,595 | pellet fuel | [100] |
Alholmens Kraft | ![]() | 63°42′07″N22°42′35″E / 63.70194°N 22.70972°E | 265 | forest residue | [101] |
Maasvlakte 3 | ![]() | 51°54′45″N4°1′16″E / 51.91250°N 4.02111°E | 220 | biomass | [102] [note 1] |
Połaniec | ![]() | 50°26′14″N21°20′14″E / 50.43722°N 21.33722°E | 225 | woodchips | [102] |
Atikokan Generating Station | ![]() | 48°50′17″N91°34′15″W / 48.83806°N 91.57083°W | 205 | biomass | [103] |
Rodenhuize | ![]() | 51°8′4.88″N3°46′35.94″E / 51.1346889°N 3.7766500°E | 180 | wood pellet | [104] |
Kymijärvi II | ![]() | 160 | RDF | [105] | |
Ashdown Paper Mill | ![]() | 157 | black liquor | [106] | |
Wisapower | ![]() | 150 | black liquor | [102] | |
Vaasa | ![]() | 140 | biomass | [105] |
Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jirau | ![]() | 9°15′0″S64°24′0″W / 9.25000°S 64.40000°W | 3,750 | [122] |
Santo Antonio | ![]() | 8°48′6″S63°57′3″W / 8.80167°S 63.95083°W | 3,568 | [123] |
Gezhouba Water Control & Hydroelectric Project | ![]() | 30°44′23″N111°16′20″E / 30.73972°N 111.27222°E | 2,715 | [124] |
Chief Joseph | ![]() | 47°59′43″N119°38′00″W / 47.99528°N 119.63333°W | 2,620 | |
John Day | ![]() | 45°52′49″N120°41′40″W / 45.88028°N 120.69444°W | 2,160 | [125] |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sihwa Lake | ![]() | 37°18′47″N126°36′46″E / 37.31306°N 126.61278°E | 254 | |
2. | Rance | ![]() | 48°37′05″N02°01′24″W / 48.61806°N 2.02333°W | 240 | |
3. | Annapolis Royal | ![]() | 44°45′07″N65°30′40″W / 44.75194°N 65.51111°W | 20 (out of service since 2019) | [126] |
4. | Jiangxia | ![]() | 28°20′34″N121°14′25″E / 28.34278°N 121.24028°E | 3.9 | [127] |
5. | Kislaya Guba | ![]() | 69°22′37″N33°04′34″E / 69.37694°N 33.07611°E | 1.7 |
Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gonghe Talatan Solar Park | ![]() | 36°10′54″N100°34′41″E / 36.18167°N 100.57806°E | 15,600 | [128] [129] |
Hobq Solar Park | ![]() | 40°23′48″N108°52′50″E / 40.3967°N 108.88052°E 40°18′09″N109°43′17″E / 40.30244°N 109.72149°E | 4,000 | |
Ruoqiang Solar Park | ![]() | 38°54′18″N88°15′08″E / 38.9050°N 88.2522°E | 4,000 | |
Otog Front Banner Solar Park | ![]() | 38°26′08″N106°53′03″E / 38.43564°N 106.88427°E | 4,000 | |
Urtmorin Solar Park | ![]() | 36°48′49″N93°25′41″E / 36.8135°N 93.4281°E | 3,650 | |
Gelmud East Solar Park | ![]() | 36°22′16″N95°11′36″E / 36.3711°N 95.1934°E | 3,550 | |
Midong Solar Park | ![]() | 44°43′30″N87°40′44″E / 44.725°N 87.679°E | 3,500 | [130] [131] |
Denlingha Solar Park | ![]() | 33°13′20″N97°07′26″E / 33.2221°N 97.1239°E | 3,350 | |
Mengxi Lanhai Solar Plant | ![]() | 3,000 | ||
Mori Solar Park | ![]() | 44°00′57″N90°12′15″E / 44.0157°N 90.2041°E | 3,000 | |
Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park Phase IV | ![]() | 24°45′17″N55°21′54″E / 24.7547°N 55.365°E | 700 | [132] [133] [134] |
Ouarzazate | ![]() | 30°59′40″N06°51′48″W / 30.99444°N 6.86333°W | 510 | [135] |
Ivanpah | ![]() | 35°34′N115°28′W / 35.567°N 115.467°W | 392 | [136] |
Solana | ![]() | 32°55′N112°58′W / 32.917°N 112.967°W | 280 | [137] |
Genesis | ![]() | 33°38′38″N114°59′17″W / 33.64389°N 114.98806°W | 280 | [138] |
Mojave Solar Project | ![]() | 35°00′40″N117°19′30″W / 35.01111°N 117.32500°W | 280 | [139] [140] [141] |
Solaben | ![]() | 39°13′29″N5°23′26″W / 39.22472°N 5.39056°W | 200 | [142] |
SEGS | ![]() | 35°01′54″N117°20′53″W / 35.03167°N 117.34806°W | 160 | [143] |
Solnova | ![]() | 37°25′00″N06°17′20″W / 37.41667°N 6.28889°W | 150 | |
Andasol | ![]() | 37°13′43″N03°04′07″W / 37.22861°N 3.06861°W | 150 | [144] [145] |
Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gansu | ![]() | 40°12′00″N96°54′00″E / 40.20000°N 96.90000°E | 7,965 | [27] |
Markbygden Wind Farm | ![]() | 65°25′N20°40′E / 65.417°N 20.667°E | 2,000 | [146] |
Alta | ![]() | 35°1′16″N118°19′14″W / 35.02111°N 118.32056°W | 1,548 | [27] |
Muppandal Wind Farm | ![]() | 8°15′39″N77°32′19″E / 8.260706°N 77.538575°E | 1,500 | [147] |
Jaisalmer | ![]() | 26°55′12″N70°54′00″E / 26.92000°N 70.90000°E | 1,064 | [27] |
Fosen Vind | ![]() | 63°43′0″N10°15′0″E / 63.71667°N 10.25000°E | 1,057 | [148] [149] |
Western Spirit Wind | ![]() | 1,050 | [150] | |
Great Prairie Wind | ![]() | 1,027 | [151] | |
Traverse Wind Project | ![]() | 998 | [152] | |
Los Vientos Wind Farm | ![]() | 26°19′51″N97°35′09″W / 26.33083°N 97.58583°W | 912 | [153] |
Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hornsea 2 | ![]() | 53°54′36.0″N1°33′6.5″E / 53.910000°N 1.551806°E | 1,386 | [154] [155] |
Hornsea 1 | ![]() | 53°53′06″N1°47′28″E / 53.885°N 1.791°E | 1,218 | [156] [157] |
Seagreen | ![]() | 56°35′17″N1°44′28″W / 56.58806°N 1.74111°W | 1,075 | [158] |
Moray East | ![]() | 58°10′1.49″N2°41′54.67″W / 58.1670806°N 2.6985194°W | 950 | [159] |
Greater Changhua (1 & 2A) | ![]() | 24°09′21″N119°52′10″E / 24.1558°N 119.8694°E | 900 | [160] |
Triton Knoll | ![]() | 53°24′N0°54′E / 53.400°N 0.900°E | 857 | [161] [162] |
Hollandse Kust Noord | ![]() | 52°42′54.4″N4°15′3.6″E / 52.715111°N 4.251000°E | 759 | [163] |
Borssele I & II | ![]() | 51°42′10″N3°4′34″E / 51.70278°N 3.07611°E | 752 | [164] [165] |
Borssele III & IV | ![]() | 51°42′25.2″N2°54′44.6″E / 51.707000°N 2.912389°E | 735.1 | [166] [167] |
East Anglia ONE | ![]() | 52°39′57″N2°17′44″E / 52.66583°N 2.29556°E | 714 | [168] [169] |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Fengning | ![]() | 41°40′34″N116°32′58″E / 41.67611°N 116.54944°E | 3,600 | [170] |
2. | Bath County | ![]() | 38°12′32″N79°48′00″W / 38.20889°N 79.80000°W | 3,003 | [171] |
3. | Huizhou | ![]() | 23°16′07″N114°18′50″E / 23.26861°N 114.31389°E | 2,448 | [172] |
4. | Guangdong | ![]() | 23°45′52″N113°57′12″E / 23.76444°N 113.95333°E | 2,400 | [173] [174] |
5. | Ludington | ![]() | 43°53′37″N86°26′43″W / 43.89361°N 86.44528°W | 2,172 | [175] |
![]() | This section needs to be updated.(September 2022) |
Rank | Station | Country | Location | Capacity (MW) | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage Project | ![]() | 875 | [176] | |
2. | Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility | ![]() | 36°48′17.54″N121°46′55.19″W / 36.8048722°N 121.7819972°W | 750 | [177] |
3. | Manatee Energy Storage Center | ![]() | 409 | [178] | |
4. | Gemini Solar | ![]() | 380 | [179] | |
5. | Desert Peak Energy Storage I | ![]() | 325 | [151] | |
6. | Sunlight Storage II | ![]() | 300 | [180] | |
- | Rodeo Ranch Energy Storage | ![]() | 300 | [181] | |
- | Victorian Big Battery | ![]() | 38°2′24″S144°17′24″E / 38.04000°S 144.29000°E | 300 | [182] |
9. | Sonoran Solar Energy | ![]() | 260 | [151] | |
10. | DeCordova Energy Storage Facility | ![]() | 260 | [183] | |
The following table lists the largest operating power station, and the largest single generating unit within each country.
A power station, also referred to as a power plant and sometimes generating station or generating plant, is an industrial facility for the generation of electric power. Power stations are generally connected to an electrical grid.
The net capacity factor is the unitless ratio of actual electrical energy output over a given period of time to the theoretical maximum electrical energy output over that period. The theoretical maximum energy output of a given installation is defined as that due to its continuous operation at full nameplate capacity over the relevant period. The capacity factor can be calculated for any electricity producing installation, such as a fuel consuming power plant or one using renewable energy, such as wind, the sun or hydro-electric installations. The average capacity factor can also be defined for any class of such installations, and can be used to compare different types of electricity production.
Low-carbon electricity or low-carbon power is electricity produced with substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions over the entire lifecycle than power generation using fossil fuels. The energy transition to low-carbon power is one of the most important actions required to limit climate change.
According to the International Hydropower Association, Canada is the fourth largest producer of hydroelectricity in the world in 2021 after the United States, Brazil, and China. In 2019, Canada produced 632.2 TWh of electricity with 60% of energy coming from Hydroelectric and Tidal Energy Sources).
Enel Green Power S.p.A. is an Italian multinational renewable energy corporation, headquartered in Rome. The company was formed as a subsidiary of the power generation firm Enel in December 2008. It has operations in five continents generating energy from solar, geothermal, wind and hydropower sources. As of 2024, it manages a capacity of 63,8 GW, with an annual production of 75.95 TWh and has over 1300 plants worldwide.
Renewable energy in Russia mainly consists of hydroelectric energy. Russia is rich not only in oil, gas and coal, but also in wind, hydro, geothermal, biomass and solar energy – the resources of renewable energy. Practically all regions have at least one or two forms of renewable energy that are commercially exploitable, while some regions are rich in all forms of renewable energy resources. However, fossil fuels dominate Russia’s current energy mix, while its abundant and diverse renewable energy resources play little role.
Technopromexport is a Russian engineering company that builds energy facilities in Russia and abroad, including hydropower, thermal, geo-thermal and diesel power plants, power lines and electricity substations. The company was formed in 1955, and was transformed into a joint stock company in April 2006. The company's charter capital is 15.7 billion rubles. The company is headquartered in Moscow.
Hydroelectricity is the second most important renewable energy source after solar energy in Japan with an installed capacity of 50.0 gigawatt (GW) as of 2019. According to the International Hydropower Association Japan was the world's sixth largest producer of hydroelectricity in 2020. Most of Japanese hydroelectric power plants are pumped-storage plants. Conventional hydropower plants account for about 20 GW out of the total installed capacity as of 2007.
Renewable energy in Albania includes biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind energy. Albania relies mostly on hydroelectric resources, therefore, it has difficulties and shortages when water levels are low. The climate in Albania is Mediterranean, so it possesses considerable potential for solar energy production. Mountain elevations provide good areas for wind projects. There is also potentially usable geothermal energy because Albania has natural wells.
Hydroelectricity is currently China's largest renewable energy source and the second overall after coal. According to the International Hydropower Association, China is the worlds largest producer of hydroelectricity as of 2021. China's installed hydroelectric capacity in 2021 was 390.9 GW, including 36.4 GW of pumped storage hydroelectricity capacity, up from 233 GW in 2011. That year, hydropower generated 1,300 TWh of power, an increase of 68 TWh over 2018 when hydropower generated 1,232 TWh of power, accounting for roughly 18% of China's total electricity generation.