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.

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Three Gorges Dam in China, currently the largest hydroelectric power station, and the largest power-producing body ever built, at 22,500 MW

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.

Top 20 largest power producing facilities

More information Rank, Station ...
RankStationCountryLocationCapacity
(MW)
Annual generation
(TWh)
TypeNotesRefs
1. Three Gorges Dam  China 30°49′15″N 111°00′08″E 22,500 78.79 (2022)[8] Hydro [1]
2. Baihetan Dam  China 27°13′07″N 102°54′22″E 16,000 40.06 (2022)[8] Hydro [9][10]
3. Gonghe Talatan  China 36°10′54″N 100°34′41″E 15,600 Solar [citation needed]
4. Itaipu Dam  Brazil
 Paraguay
25°24′31″S 54°35′21″W 14,000 83.88 (2023)[11] Hydro [12][13][unreliable source?][14][15]
5. Xiluodu  China 28°15′52″N 103°38′47″E 13,860 57.8 (2022)[8] Hydro [16][17]
6. Belo Monte  Brazil 03°07′27″S 51°42′01″W 11,233 39.5 (average) Hydro Installation of the 18th and final turbine was completed in November 2019. [18][19]
7. Guri  Venezuela 07°45′59″N 62°59′57″W 10,235 47 (average) Hydro [20][unreliable source?]
8. Wudongde Dam  China 26°19′29.4″N 102°38′2.2″E 10,200 36.61 (2022)[8] Hydro [21]
9. Jebel Ali  United Arab Emirates 25°03′35″N 55°07′02″E 8,695 Natural gas [22]
10. Tucuruí  Brazil 03°49′53″S 49°38′36″W 8,370 21.4 (average) Hydro [12][16]
- Kashiwazaki-Kariwa  Japan37°25′45″N 138°35′43″E 7,965 60.3 (1999)
0 (2012–Present)
Nuclear Suspended in 2011. Restart date unknown.[Note 1] [23][24][unreliable source?][25][26]
11. Jiuquan (Gansu)  China 40°12′00″N 96°54′00″E 7,965 Wind [27]
12. Xiangjiaba  China 28°38′57″N 104°22′14″E 7,798 31.55 (2022)[8] Hydro [28][29][30]
13. Kori  South Korea 35°19′40″N 129°18′03″E 7,489 53.05 (2023)[31] Nuclear Largest operational nuclear power station since September 2019.
14. Hanul  South Korea 37°05′34″N 129°23′01″E 7,268 54.62 (2023)[31] Nuclear [32]
15. Grand Coulee  United States 47°57′23″N 118°58′56″W 6,80920.24 (average) Hydro Largest in North America since 1949. [33][unreliable source?][34]
16. Tuoketuo  China 40°11′49″N 111°21′52″E 6,720 33.32 Coal Largest coal-fired power station since 2017. [35][36]
17. Bruce  Canada 44°19′31″N 81°35′58″W 6,610 42.33 (2023)[37] Nuclear Uprated from 6,408MWe to 6,610MWe in November 2022 [38][39]
18. Longtan  China 25°01′38″N 107°02′51″E 6,42618.7 (estimate) Hydro [16][40]
19. Sayano-Shushenskaya  Russia 52°49′33″N 91°22′13″E 6,400 29.4 (2021[41]) Hydro [42][43]
20. Hongyanhe  China 39°48′7″N 121°28′30″E 6,366 Nuclear [44]
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  1. Present States of Operation (All units) Suspended (Periodic Inspection) Nuclear Regulation Authority

Timeline of the largest power plants in the world

At any point in time since the early 20th century, the largest power station in the world has been a hydroelectric power plant.

More information Held record, Name of power station ...
Held record Name of power station Capacity
(MW)
Location Notes
From To
19041911Niagara Power Plant104 Niagara Falls, New York, USA[45]
19111913Vemork108 Rjukan, Telemark, Norway[46][47]
19131914Lock and Dam No. 19142 Hamilton, Illinois / Keokuk, Iowa, United States[48]
19141924Niagara Power Plant201 Niagara Falls, New York, USA[45]
19241939Sir Adam Beck Station I348.6-498[49] Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada[50]
19391949Hoover Dam705 Clark County, Nevada / Mohave County, Arizona, United States[51][52]
19491959Grand Coulee Dam2,280 Washington, United States
19591963Volga Hydroelectric Station2,300–2,563 Volgograd, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union[53]
19631971Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station2,750–4,500 Bratsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union[54]
19711983Krasnoyarsk Dam5,000–6,000 Krasnoyarsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union[55]
19831986Grand Coulee Dam6,181–6,809 Washington, United States[56]
19861989Guri Dam10,235 Necuima Canyon, Venezuela
19892007Itaipu Dam10,500–14,000 Paraná River, Brazil / Paraguay
2007presentThree Gorges Dam14,100–22,500 Three Gorges, Yichang, Hubei Province, China
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Non-renewable power stations

Coal

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Taichung, the fourth largest coal-fired power station, at 5,500 MWe

Fuel oil

More information Rank, Station ...
RankStationCountryLocationCapacity (MW)Ref
1.Shoaiba Saudi Arabia20°40′48″N 39°31′24″E5,600[68]
2. Ghazlan [no]  Saudi Arabia 26°51′15″N 49°53′56″E 4,528[69] [70]
3.Kashima Japan35°52′47″N 140°41′22″E4,400[71][72]
4.Anegasaki Japan35°29′06″N 140°01′00″E3,600[69][72]
5. Qurayyah  Saudi Arabia 25°50′40″N 50°7′31″E 3,927[69] [73][74]
6.Yokohama [ja] Japan35°28′36″N 139°40′44″E3,379[69][72]
7.Hirono Japan37°14′18″N 141°01′04″E3,200[71][72]
8.Sabiya I Kuwait2,400[75]
8. Az Zour South  Kuwait 2,400 [76]
8. Doha West  Kuwait 2,400 [77]
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Natural gas

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Surgut-2, the world's second-largest natural gas power station

Nuclear

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Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, the largest nuclear power station (suspended since 2011)

Oil shale

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Eesti Power Station, the world's largest oil shale-fired power station

Peat

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Shatura, largest peat-fired power station at 1,500 MW
  1. Natural gas primary fuel (78.0%), peat secondary (11.5%)

Renewable power stations

Biomass

  1. installed capacity is 1100 MW with cofiring 80% coal and 20% biomass

Geothermal

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Hellisheiði Power Station, the eighth largest geothermal power station at 303 MWe

Hydroelectric

Conventional

Run-of-the-river

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Chief Joseph, fourth largest run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station at 2,620 MW

Tide

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Rance, second largest tidal power station at 240 MW
More information Rank, Station ...
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Solar power

Photovoltaic

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Satellite image of the Bhadla Solar Park in India, one of the world's largest solar parks

Concentrated solar thermal

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The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, the largest single-site concentrated solar power plant in the world

Wind

Onshore

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Shepherds Flat Wind Farm, the sixth-largest wind farm at 845 MW
More information Station, Country ...
Station Country Location Capacity (MW) Ref
Gansu China40°12′00″N 96°54′00″E7,965[27]
Markbygden Wind Farm Sweden65°25′N 20°40′E2,000[161]
Alta United States35°1′16″N 118°19′14″W1,548[27]
Muppandal Wind Farm India8.260706°N 77.538575°E / 8.260706; 77.5385751,500[162]
Jaisalmer India26°55′12″N 70°54′00″E1,064[27]
Fosen Vind Norway63°43′0″N 10°15′0″E1,057[163][164]
Western Spirit Wind United States1,050[165]
Great Prairie Wind United States1,027[166]
Traverse Wind Project United States998[167]
Los Vientos Wind Farm United States26°19′51″N 97°35′09″W912[168]
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Offshore

Storage power stations

Pumped-storage

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Upper reservoir of Okutataragi Pumped Storage Power Station at 1,932 MW
More information Rank, Station ...
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Battery storage

More information Rank, Station ...
RankStationCountryLocationCapacity (MW)Ref
1.Edwards Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage Project United States875[191]
2.Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility United States36°48′17.54″N 121°46′55.19″W750[192]
3.Manatee Energy Storage Center United States409[193]
4.Gemini Solar United States380[194]
5.Desert Peak Energy Storage I United States325[166]
6.Sunlight Storage II United States300[195]
-Rodeo Ranch Energy Storage United States300[196]
-Victorian Big Battery Australia38°2′24″S 144°17′24″E300[197]
9.Sonoran Solar Energy  United States260[166]
10.DeCordova Energy Storage Facility United States260[198]
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Molten-salt

List of largest power station and unit within each country

The following table lists the largest operating power station, and the largest single generating unit within each country.

More information Country, Largest facility ...
CountryLargest facilityLocationCapacity
(MW)
Fuel typeLargest unit
(name of power station)
LocationUnit capacity
(MW)
Fuel typeRefs
Afghanistan Afghanistan Naghlu 34°38′28″N 69°43′01″E 100 Hydro [209]
Albania Albania Koman 42°06′23″N 19°49′37″E 600 Hydro [210]
Algeria Algeria Hadjret En-Nouss 36°34′36″N 02°04′47″E 1,260 Gas Skikda 36°52′44″N 06°56′12″E 440 Gas [211][212]
Argentina Argentina Yacyretá 27°28′58″S 56°43′30″W 3,100 Hydro Atucha II – CNAII 32°13′54″S 64°26′38″W 745 Nuclear [213][214][215]
Armenia Armenia Hrazdan 40°33′59″N 44°45′03″E 1,590 Gas/Oil
Australia Australia Eraring 33°03′44″S 151°31′13″E 2,880 Coal Kogan Creek 26°54′59″S 150°44′57″E 750 Coal [216][217]
Austria Austria Simmering 48°10′52″N 16°26′06″E 1,700 Gas Dürnrohr 48°19′32″N 15°55′25″E 405 Coal [218][219]
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azerbaijan 40°46′49″N 46°59′30″E 2,400 Fuel Oil
Bangladesh Bangladesh Ashuganj Power Station 24°02′35″N 91°01′06″E 1569.67 Gas 400MW CCPP (East) 24°02′35″N 91°01′06″E 400.16 Gas [220]
Belarus Belarus Lukoml 54°40′51″N 29°08′05″E 2,890 Gas
Belgium Belgium Tihange 50°32′5″N 5°16′21″E 3,008 Nuclear Tihange Unit 3 50°32′5″N 5°16′21″E 1,065 Nuclear [221][222]
Bhutan Bhutan Tala 27°02′09″N 89°35′49″E 1,020 Hydro Tala 27°02′09″N 89°35′49″E 170 Hydro
Brazil Brazil Itaipu 25°24′31″S 54°35′21″W 14,000 Hydro Angra II 23°00′30″S 44°27′26″W 1,350 Nuclear [223]
Bulgaria Bulgaria Kozloduy 43°44′46″N 23°46′14″E 2,000 Nuclear
Myanmar Burma Yeywa 21°41′20″N 96°25′17″E 790 Hydro Yeywa 197 Hydro [224]
Canada Canada Bruce 44°19′31″N 81°35′58″W 6,610 Nuclear Darlington 43°52′09″N 78°43′27″W 878 Nuclear [88][225][226]
Chile Chile Ventanas 32°45′04″S 71°28′57″W 875 Coal Atacama 370 Gas
China China Three Gorges 30°49′15″N 111°00′08″E 22,500 Hydro Taishan 21°55′04″N 112°58′55″E 1,660 Nuclear [89]
Colombia Colombia Hidroituango 7°08′04″N 75°39′43″W 2,456 Hydro
Costa Rica Costa Rica Limón 10°3′56″N 84°34′48″W 306 Hydro
Croatia Croatia HE Zakučac 43°27′26″N 15°42′8″E 538 Hydro HE Zakučac A, B, C, D 134.5 Hydro [227]
Czech Republic Czech Republic Temelín 49°10′48″N 14°22′34″E 2,030 Nuclear Temelín 1,015 Nuclear [228]
Democratic Republic of the Congo DR Congo Inga II 5°31′36″S 13°37′14″E 1,424 Hydro [229]
Denmark Denmark Asnæs 55°39′41″N 11°05′04″E 1,057 Coal
Egypt Egypt Burullus Power Station(German) 31°31′46″N 30°48′32″E 4,800 Gas [82]
Ethiopia Ethiopia Koysha Dam 6°34′39.5″N 36°32′54″E 2,160 Hydro [230]
Finland Finland Olkiluoto 61°14′13″N 21°26′27″E 3,380 Nuclear Olkiluoto Unit 3 61°14′13″N 21°26′27″E 1,600 Nuclear
France France Gravelines 51°00′55″N 02°08′10″E 5,460 Nuclear 49°32′11″N 01°52′54″W Nuclear [231]
Germany Germany Neurath 51°02′15″N 06°36′58″W 4,400 Coal
Ghana Ghana Akosombo 6°17′59″N 00°03′34″E 1,020 Hydro
Greece Greece Agios Dimitrios Power Plant 40.393757°N 21.925106°E / 40.393757; 21.925106 1,585 Coal Unit V 365 Lignite
Hungary Hungary Paks 46°34′21″N 18°51′15″E 1,889 Nuclear Paks 46°34′21″N 18°51′15″E 473 Nuclear
Iceland Iceland Kárahnjúkavirkjun 64°56′N 15°48′W 690 Hydro [232]
India India Vindhyachal 24°05′53″N 82°40′18″E 4,760 Coal Kudankulam 08°10′03″N 77°42′46″E 932 Nuclear [233]
Indonesia Indonesia Paiton 4,710 Coal Paiton 800 Coal
Iran Iran Damavand 2,868 Gas [234][235]
Iraq Iraq Al-Shemal 2,100 Fuel Oil
Israel Israel Orot Rabin 32°28′12″N 34°53′16″E 2,590 Coal Rutenberg 31°37′48″N 34°31′18″E 575 Coal
Italy Italy Alessandro Volta 42°21′33″N 11°31′47″E 3,600 Gas Fuel oil, Gas
Jamaica Jamaica South Jamaica Power Centre 17.9004°N 77.1082°W / 17.9004; -77.1082 (South Jamaica Power Centre) 192 Gas
Japan Japan Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 37°25′45″N 138°35′43″E 7,965 Nuclear Hekinan Power Station 34°50′07″N 136°57′39″E 1,000 Coal [236]
Kenya Kenya Gitaru 00°47′48″S 37°44′50″E 225 Hydro [237]
Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Toktogul 41°39′25″N 72°38′9″E 1,260 Hydro Toktogul 41°39′25″N 72°38′9″E 360 Hydro [238]
Latvia Latvia Pļaviņas 56°35′00″N 25°14′30″E 883 Hydro
Lebanon Lebanon Zouk 33°58′12″N 35°36′14″E 607 Fuel Oil Zouk 4 33°58′12″N 35°36′14″E 172 Fuel Oil [239]
Lithuania Lithuania Elektrėnai 54°46′15″N 24°38′46″E 1,800 Gas
Malaysia Malaysia Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz 03°07′01″N 101°19′19″E 2,420 Gas Tuanku Jaafar 02°31′59″N 101°47′28″E 750 Gas [240]
Mexico Mexico Manuel Moreno Torres 16°56′30″N 93°06′02″W 2,430 Hydro Laguna Verde 665 Nuclear [241]
Morocco Morocco Jorf Lasfar 33°06′17″N 08°38′12″W 1,356 Coal
Mozambique Mozambique Cahora Bassa 15°35′09″S 32°42′17″E 2,075 Hydro
Nepal Nepal Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project 27°50′38″N 86°13′05″E 456 Hydro Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project 76 Hydro [242]
Netherlands Netherlands Claus 51°09′21″N 05°54′25″E 1,900 Gas
New Zealand New Zealand Huntly 37°32′38″S 175°9′10″E 950 Coal/Gas Huntly Unit 5 37°32′38″S 175°9′10″E 400 Gas
Nigeria Nigeria Egbin 06°33′48″N 03°36′55″E 1,320 Gas
North Macedonia North Macedonia Bitola 41°03′29″N 21°29′00″E 675 Coal
Norway Norway Kvilldal 1,240 Hydro
Pakistan Pakistan Tarbela 34°05′23″N 72°41′54″E 4,888 Hydro
Panama Panama Enel Fortuna 300[243][244] Hydro
Paraguay Paraguay Itaipu 25°24′31″S 54°35′21″W 14,000 Hydro
Peru Peru Mantaro-Tablachaca Hydroelectric Complex(Spanish) 12°17′28″S 74°41′04″W 1,008 Hydro Ventanilla 185 Gas [245][246]
Philippines Philippines Sual Power Station 13°46′13″N 121°02′06″E 1,500 Gas Sual Power Station 16°07′27″N 120°06′04″E 647 Coal [247][248]
Poland Poland Bełchatów 51°15′59″N 19°19′50″E 5,102 Coal Bełchatów 51°15′59″N 19°19′50″E 858 Coal
 Portugal Pego 39°28′5″N 8°6′33″W 1,473 Coal + Natural Gas Sines 37°55′57″N 8°48′14″W 1,180 Coal
Qatar Qatar Ras Qartas 25°56′13″N 51°31′20″E 2,730 Gas
Romania Romania Turceni 44°40′11″N 23°24′28″E 2,640 Coal Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant 706 Nuclear
Russia Russia Sayano-Shushenskaya 54°49′33″N 91°22′13″E 6,400 Hydro Kostroma Power Station 57°27′22″N 41°10′20″E 1,200 Gas [42]
Rwanda Rwanda Nyabarongo 1°59′19.4″S 29°37′59.3″E 28 Hydro
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Shoaiba 20°40′48″N 139°31′24″E 5,600 Fuel Oil 730
Singapore Singapore Tuas 01°17′20″N 103°38′29″E 1,470 Gas Tuas 01°17′20″N 103°38′29″E 600 Oil [249][250]
Serbia Serbia TPP Nikola Tesla TENT-A: 44°40′11.5″N 20°09′35.5″E 3,286 Coal TENT B1/B2 44°39′14.4″N 20°00′20.8″E 620 Coal [251][252]
[253][254]
South Africa South Africa Kusile 23°42′00″S 27°33′00″E 4,800 Coal Koeberg 930 Nuclear [255]
South Korea South Korea Kori 35°15′13″N 129°17′40″E 7,411 Nuclear [256][32]
Spain Spain Almaraz 39°48′29″N 05°41′49″W 2,017 Nuclear Almaraz 39°48′29″N 05°41′49″W 1,011 Nuclear [257]
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Lakvijaya 08°01′06″N 79°43′22″E 900 Coal Lakvijaya 08°01′06″N 79°43′22″E 300 Coal [258][259]
Sudan Sudan Roseires 11°47′56″N 34°23′17″E 1,800 Hydro [260]
Suriname Suriname Afobaka 4°58′56″N 54°59′32″W 180 Hydro
Sweden Sweden Forsmark 60°24′12″N 18°10′00″E 3,333 Nuclear Oskarshamn 57°24′56″N 16°40′16″E 1,400 Nuclear [261][262]
Switzerland Switzerland Bieudron 46°11′07″N 07°14′58″E 1,269 Hydro Leibstadt Nuclear Power Plant 47°36′11″N 08°11′05″E 1,220 Nuclear [263][264]
Taiwan Taiwan Taichung 24°12′46″N 120°28′52″E 5,832 Coal Kuosheng 25°12′10″N 121°39′45″E 985 Nuclear [60][265]
Tanzania Tanzania Kidatu 07°38′24″S 36°52′59″E 204 Hydro [266][267]
Thailand Thailand Mae Moh 18°17′45″N 99°45′07″E 2,180 Coal
Turkey Turkey Atatürk 37°28′58″N 38°19′14″E 2,400 Hydro
Uganda Uganda Bujagali Power Station 27°50′38″N 86°13′05″E 250 Hydro [268]
Ukraine Ukraine Zaporizhzhia 47°30′44″N 35°35′09″E 5,700 Nuclear [91]
United Kingdom United Kingdom Drax 53°44′09″N 00°59′47″W 2,595 Biomass (formerly coal) [269][270]
United States United States Grand Coulee 47°57′23″N 118°58′56″W 6,809 Hydro Grand Gulf 32°0′26″N 91°2′52″W 1,401 Nuclear
Uruguay Uruguay Salto Grande 31°16′31″S 57°56′18″W 1,890 Hydro
Venezuela Venezuela Guri 07°45′59″N 62°59′57″W 10,235 Hydro
Vietnam Vietnam Sơn La 21°29′47″N 103°59′42″E 2,400 Hydro Nhon Trach-2 760 Gas [271]
Zambia Zambia Kariba 15°48′30″S 28°25′15″E 960 Hydro
Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Hwange 18°23′0″S 26°28′12″E 920 Coal
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See also

References

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