A general view shows the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River in Yichang, Hubei province, China May 4, 2017. Picture taken May 4, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA.
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CNBC TV1816-01-2026, 17:58

Hydropower Giants: Inside the World's Biggest Dams Powering Nations

  • The Three Gorges Dam in China, completed in 2006, is the world's largest hydroelectric power station by installed capacity, generating 84 terawatt-hours annually and aiding flood control.
  • China's Baihetan Dam (2022) and Wudongde Dam (2021) on the Jinsha River showcase advanced hydropower engineering, contributing significantly to clean energy with high-capacity turbines.
  • The Itaipu Dam, a Brazil-Paraguay binational project on the Paraná River, has been a major power source since 1984, setting global generation records and symbolizing cross-border cooperation.
  • Brazil's Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River and Tucuruí Dam on the Tocantins River are crucial for powering millions, though Belo Monte has sparked environmental debates.
  • Xiluodu Dam in China, operational since 2013, is among the tallest arch dams globally, supporting flood control and hydropower generation across the Yangtze basin.

Why It Matters: Massive hydropower dams globally, especially in China and Brazil, are crucial for energy, flood control, and development.

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