The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant, producing over 22,500 megawatts of electricity annually. Atlas Copco, a global engineering company, built the plant in China and it was operational by mid-2012. Read on to learn more about this giant project. Originally known as Three Gorges Dam II, it is currently the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world.
Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant
The Three Gorges Dam is the world’s biggest hydroelectric power plant. With a capacity of 22,500 megawatts, it has surpassed the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant in Brazil, which had a capacity of 14,000 megawatts. Three Gorges’ power generation capacity is expected to reach more than 100 TWh per year. However, the power production of the Three Gorges is limited by the seasonal variation of the Yangtze River, which limits it to producing less than half of the capacity it can produce.
It produces 22,500MW of hydroelectricity
The Three Gorges Dam is a large hydroelectric power station that spans the Yangtze River. It is the largest hydroelectric power station in the world, generating 95+-20 TWh of electricity each year. Depending on the amount of rainfall in the river basin, the Three Gorges Dam could produce 22,500MW of hydroelectricity. By 2020, the dam could be generating 112 TWh of electricity per year.
It was built by Atlas Copco
In 1994, China started the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant. The 600 km long, 185-meter high dam has 32 turbines, generating 100 TWh of electricity a year. The dam was designed to meet up to ten percent of China’s energy demand and reduce its reliance on coal-produced power. The construction of the dam cost 200 billion Swedish crowns. Atlas Copco supplied a significant number of the drilling rigs used in the construction process.
It was operational by mid-2012
The controversial Three Gorges Dam project has faced intense political and environmental opposition and has forced the relocation of millions of people from their homes. Though China insists that the project is helping the country’s economy, critics argue that it will also disrupt the region’s environment. As it stands, the dam has already created more flooding than any other project in the world. The dam has also resulted in the submerging of 1,600 factories and agricultural land.
It is located on the Yangtze River
The Three Gorges Dam is a massive dam on the Yangtze River that is estimated to cost between $28 and $60 billion, depending on the amount of private investment and government subsidy. Built to control flooding, it protects nearly 15,000 square kilometers of land. At more than 2 km across, the dam is designed to withstand a magnitude 6.0 earthquake. The Three Gorges Reservoir extends 600 kilometers upstream and has a storage capacity of 40 billion m3 of water or 32 million acre-feet.
It has 32 main turbines
Three Gorges Dam is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station, with a capacity of 8,370 megawatts (MW). The dam, which is located in Tucurui, Para, has been in operation since 1984. The structure is made of concrete, with 11 generating units each with a 370 MW capacity. The plant supplies electricity to the city of Belem.
It has two smaller generators
The three main generators are both a combined 700 megawatts. The overall capacity of the Three Gorges Dam is around 22.5 gigawatts. Each of these generators is capable of generating power for about eight million homes. The total installed capacity of the Three Gorges Dam is enough to power several major cities. It’s important to note that the Three Gorges Dam’s capacity is not quite enough to meet China’s current power needs. The dam has two smaller generators that provide power for a more modest amount.