With all the water in the world, one would think that harnessing its power would be a given. However, it was only recently that the great big hydroelectric dams were built. But what structures they turned out to be. Let’s take a look at the largest hydroelectric dams ever built.
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| Image source: Wikipedia.com |
Three Gorges Dam
This is the king of dams. The Three Gorges Dam of China is one of the most impressive feats of engineering in the history of mankind. It is both the largest hydroelectric dam on the planet, as well as the largest power plant ever created by human hands. It can give off more than 22,000 megawatts, taken from the mighty Yangtze River. The Three Gorges Dam set a record in 2014 by generating 98.8 TWh.
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| Image source: Wikipedia.com |
Itaipu Dam
On the other side of the world, located along the border of Brazil and Paraguay lies the Itaipu Dam. This is the second-largest dam on Earth. Constructed along the Parana River by the governments of both Brazil and Paraguay, this structure is so massive that only the Three Gorges Dam is bigger. The power generated by Itaipu Dam gives Paraguay 75 percent of its electricity, and Brazil, 17 percent. Those are huge numbers by all accounts.
Janique Goffis a dedicated and determined environmentalist. Learn more about environmental issues by subscribing to this Twitter account.
