The world’s largest hydroelectric plant in terms of installed capacity has set a new world record for annual power output. The Three Gorges hydroelectric plant in China reached the 103.1 billion kWh mark on November 15, 2020, surpassing the previous world record of 103.098 billion kWh set by Itaipu Dam, which straddles the border between Brazil and Paraguay, in 2016.

A view of the Three Gorges Dam over the Yangtze River. Source: sasac.gov.cnThe record power output is equivalent to eliminating the consumption of 31.7 million tons of coal and reducing 86.7 million tons of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions by 86.7 million tons, 20,600 tons of sulfur dioxide and 19,600 tons of nitrogen oxide, respectively.

The Three Gorges hydropower plant has a total installed capacity of 22.5 GW and annual power output of 88.2 billion kWh and is equipped with 32 units of 750 MW capacity and two 50 MW units. Made of concrete and steel, the dam is 2,335 m long and discharges its reservoir during the dry season between December and March, increasing the flow rate of the river downstream and providing fresh water for agricultural and industrial usage. Since the reservoir was filled in 2003, the Three Gorges Dam has supplied an extra 11 km³ of water to downstream users during the dry season.