The biggest energy projects around the world

From a gigantic hydroelectric dam in China to a solar development project covering 84 hectares in Nigeria, power projects around the world are adding considerable capacity to the grid. Using data from Timetric, we profile the top 20 largest projects around the world by power generation capacity

Baihetan Hydroelectric Power Plant, China: 16,000MW

The Baihetan Dam is a large hydroelectric dam under construction on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze River in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in southwest China. The facility, which will have a total generation capacity of 16,000MW from 16 units of 1,000MW each, will be the second largest hydroelectric power plant in terms of generating capacity in the world, after the Three Gorges Dam in China.


Construction on the project, which is owned by China Three Gorges Project Corporation, is expected to be complete in 2021, at a total cost of $13.1bn.

Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Dam, Nepal: 10,800MW

The Karnali Chisapani multipurpose dam project, which is located on the Karnali River in Nepal, involves the construction of a 270m high rock fill main dam with an installed capacity of 10,800MW. Once completed, the project will be the largest multipurpose project in the sub-continent, and will provide incremental irrigation benefits to India.

Owned by the Department of Electricity Development, the project was first proposed in 1986, with a feasibility study completed by Himalayan Power Consultant in 1989. As of June 2018, planning activities for the multipurpose dam were underway.

Tapajos Hydropower Complex, Brazil: 10,682MW

Brazilian energy company Eletrobras is planning to undertake the construction of a 10,682MW hydroelectric power plant along the rivers Tapajos and Jamanxim in the northern Brazilian state of Para. The project involves the construction and operation of five power plants in the Madeira basin.


With an estimated investment of $16bn, the Tapajos hydropower project is part of Brazil’s 2020 Energy Expansion Decennial Plan, which estimates a total $53.9bn investment in hydropower generations projects across the country. Technical and feasibility study activities are currently underway.

Solar Power Development, Nigeria: 10,000MW

High Quality Marketing & Consulting Korea (HQMC) is planning to develop a 10,000MW solar farm in Nigeria.

The project involves the construction of substations, access roads, control rooms, administrative buildings and related facilties on 84ha of land, as well as the installation of modules, generators, transformers and plant equipment.



With a total investment of $30bn to be spread over a 10-year period, the project is expected to create around 10,000 jobs during operation, with an estimated $1.8bn to be generated annually from the installations.

Mariah Wind Farm, US: 10,000MW

Scandia Wind Southwest’s Mariah wind farm project is being developed at Panhandle, Carson County, in Texas, US. The purpose of the project is to generate electricity through clean and renewable sources and enhance the power generation capacity of the state to meet the growing demand for power.


The 10,000MW project will be developed in three phases: the first phase will create 2,200MW of power generation; the second phase will add 2,800MW; while the third and final stage will add 5,000MW to bring the wind farm to its total generation capacity. As of February 2018, construction works on the first phase are underway.

Solar Power Plant, Qatar: 10,000MW

Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) plans to undertake a 10,000MW solar power programme in Qatar.


The project, which will have an investment of $10m, involves the construction of power houses, substations and related infrastructure, the installation of solar panels, generators, inverters and transformers, and the laying of transmission lines.



The programme is scheduled to be completed by 2030, and is part of Qatar’s plans to catch up with neighbouring countries in the Middle East by expanding its renewable energy infrastructure.

Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant, India: 9,900MW

The $24bn Jaitapur nuclear power plant is a 9,900MW project in Jaitapur in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. It will be operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India. The project will help India to meet its ever-growing demand for energy; by 2030, the country’s installed nuclear capacity is expected to grow to 63GW.


The Jaitapur project aims to meet the demand-supply gap of 14%, requiring capacity addition of 90,000MW-100,000MW every five years. It is part of an initiative under a bilateral agreement signed between India and France in 2008, in which the two countries agreed to work together for the development of nuclear energy. In June 2018, EDF and GE signed an agreement to construct six nuclear power units for the project.

Upper Siang Hydroelectric Power Plant, India: 9,750MW

National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) Upper Siang hydroelectric power plant will have an installed capacity of 9,750MW and will be located on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The $15.65bn project aims to enhance electricity production to meet expected demand of 950,000MW by 2030, utilise available natural resources, and reduce the number of frequent power cuts in the easternmost regions of India.

In October 2017, the Central Government proposed to build a 300m high dam with power generation combined capacity of 10,000MW, which would replace the previously planned project and increase its capacity. A final decision regarding this plan is yet to be confirmed, and it is facing opposition from locals.

Kayan River Hydroelectric Power Plant, Indonesia: 9,000MW

The Kayan River hydroelectric power plant is planned for the Bulungan Regency in Indonesia. The project was initially planned with a capacity of 6,080MW, however this has since been increased to 9,000MW. It will be developed in five stages, the first of which includes the construction of a 900MW power plant, comprising a 85m high dam.


The developers are currently in the process of obtaining construction permits, subject to which construction will commence. The first stage is expected to take 4-5 years to complete, with the entire project costing $17.8bn.

Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant, China: 7,500MW

Shandong Nuclear Power Company is developing the Haiyang nuclear power plant with a generation capacity of 7,500MW in Haiyang, Shandong, China. The plant will use AP1000 technology, and will be developed in three phases with two units of 1,250MW each. Construction work on the first phase began in 2009, with units I and II coming online in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

With a total investment of $14.3bn, the plant will provide more than 10% of China’s total nuclear power capacity when complete. It will help China to increase its nuclear power capacity to reach 40 million kW by 2020, and to generate between 260 billion and 280 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year.

Bunji Hydroelectric Power Plant, Pakistan: 7,100MW

China Three Gorges Corporation is planning the construction of the Bunji hydroelectric power plant near the Diamer Bhasha Dam in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan on the Indus River. The aim of the project, which will have an installed capacity of 7,100MW, is to fill the electricity demand-supply gap in the region. Pakistan currently faces a daily shortage of up to 5,000MW, so this new project is part of the government’s initiative to reduce the gap in supply. As of June 2018, planning activities for the $13.5bn project were underway.

East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm Development, UK: 7,114MW

The East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm project involves the construction of an offshore wind farm to generate 7,114MW of renewable energy, off the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk, UK. The site of the $35bn project, which is being developed by a consortium of ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, was chosen because of excellent wind resources and existing power transmission availability. Upon completion it will be able to provide around 8,400 homes with clean energy, and will displace over 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.


In July 2018, the ground breaking ceremony was held on the O&M building. The first phase of the project, known as East Anglia One, includes the installation of 102 Siemens 7MW turbines. Planning activities on East Anglia Two are currently underway.

Taishan Nuclear Power Plant, China: 7,000MW

Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company is building a nuclear plant in Guangdong, China. With a total generation capacity of 7,000MW, the $15.6bn project will meet demand for energy in the region, and will be based on advanced EPR technology.


The Taishan nuclear plant is part of China’s plan to increase its total installed nuclear power generating capacity from about 1.2% to 5% by 2020. It will save 10.5 million tons of coal per year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 22 million tons annually. The joint venture company is a consortium of Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding and French energy company EDF. Construction has been completed on the first unit of phase one, while installation of equipment is underway on the second unit.

Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, China: 7,000MW

The Sanmen nuclear power plant in Zhejiang, China, is being developed by Sanmen Nuclear Power Company, a consortium of five Chinese energy entities. The project involves the construction of four 1,250MW nuclear power units and two 1,000MW nuclear power units, and will be implemented in three phases.


The project will also include the construction of water treatment systems, and the installation of an AP1000 pressure vessel and safety equipment. It will help China to bridge the supply-demand gap. The entire project is slated for completion by Q4 2023, and will cost approximately $17bn.

Baltic Nuclear Power Plant, Poland: 6,000MW

The 6,000MW Baltic nuclear power plant is proposed on the Baltic Coast in Poland, with the final location yet to be finalised. Once completed, the project will be the first nuclear power plant in Poland, allowing the country to diversity its energy sources to meet European requirements to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy independence.


To be operated by PGE EJ 1, a company formed by PGE, ENEA, KGHM and Tauron Polska Energia, the project will comprise of two units, each with a capacity of 3,000MW. As of September 2018, PGE EJ 1 was seeking additional investors for the development, which has an estimated cost of

$18bn.

Haixing Nuclear Power Plant, China: 6,000MW

China Huadian Corporation is constructing the Haixing nuclear power plant in Hebei, China. The project involves the construction of a 6,000MW plant with six units of 1,000MW each. To be developed in three phases with a total investment of $16bn, the project aims to increase the average power generation capacity of the region.


China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. has been appointed as the EPC contract for Unit I and Unit II. As of October 2018, the project is in the execution stage.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, India: 6,000MW

Nuclear Power Corporation of India is undertaking the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, India, on the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. The project involves the construction of a 6,000MW plant comprising of six 1,000MW units, and is a collaboration between India and Russia, under a contract signed in 1988 before the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Work on the project was suspended from September 2011 to March 2012, due to protests over its safety and concerns about the environmental impact of the project. Construction activities are, however, underway and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2026 at a total cost of $16.35bn.

Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, China: 6,000MW

Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Co.’s proposed 6,000MW Fuqing nuclear power plant will be located in Fuzhou, China. The proposed plant will provide more than 10% of the country’s total nuclear capacity when complete. It will be developed in three phases, with two 1,000MW units of CPR being installed in each phase.


By July 2017, units 1-4 were in operation and connected to the grid. As of April 2018, construction works on the rest of the project are ongoing. The project is part of the Chinese Government’s efforts to address climate change by developing non-traditional power plants. The plant will be completed with an investment of $14.6bn.

Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm, UK: 5,986MW

UK organisation The Crown Estate and Orsted are undertaking the construction of Hornsea Zone Offshore Wind Farm project in Yorkshire, UK. The project aims to deliver a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs by 2020, and will be completed in four stages.

The $23bn project will have an installed capacity of 5,986MW across 600 wind turbines. In September 2018, Orsted signed an agreement to sell 50% of Hornsea One to Global Infrastructure Partners for $5.88bn.

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE: 5,600MW

A new nuclear power plant is being constructed in Barakah, in the western region of Abu Dhabi, UAE, by ENEC and Korean energy company KEPCO. The project involves the construction of a 5,600MW plant comprising four nuclear reactors of 1,400MW each. The four reactors are expected to facilitate 25% of the UAE’s electricity and save up to 12 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.


In March 2018, construction work on the first unit was completed. As of July 2018, 93% of construction activities on the second unit, 83% on the third, 72% on the fourth and 89% on the entire project were completed. The $32bn project is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

Baihetan Hydroelectric Power Plant, China: 16,000MW

The Baihetan Dam is a large hydroelectric dam under construction on the Jinsha River, a tributary of the Yangtze River in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces in southwest China. The facility, which will have a total generation capacity of 16,000MW from 16 units of 1,000MW each, will be the second largest hydroelectric power plant in terms of generating capacity in the world, after the Three Gorges Dam in China.


Construction on the project, which is owned by China Three Gorges Project Corporation, is expected to be complete in 2021, at a total cost of $13.1bn.

Karnali Chisapani Multipurpose Dam, Nepal: 10,800MW

The Karnali Chisapani multipurpose dam project, which is located on the Karnali River in Nepal, involves the construction of a 270m high rock fill main dam with an installed capacity of 10,800MW. Once completed, the project will be the largest multipurpose project in the sub-continent, and will provide incremental irrigation benefits to India.


Owned by the Department of Electricity Development, the project was first proposed in 1986, with a feasibility study completed by Himalayan Power Consultant in 1989. As of June 2018, planning activities for the multipurpose dam were underway.

Tapajos Hydropower Complex, Brazil: 10,682MW

Brazilian energy company Eletrobras is planning to undertake the construction of a 10,682MW hydroelectric power plant along the rivers Tapajos and Jamanxim in the northern Brazilian state of Para. The project involves the construction and operation of five power plants in the Madeira basin.


With an estimated investment of $16bn, the Tapajos hydropower project is part of Brazil’s 2020 Energy Expansion Decennial Plan, which estimates a total $53.9bn investment in hydropower generations projects across the country. Technical and feasibility study activities are currently underway.

Solar Power Development, Nigeria: 10,000MW

High Quality Marketing & Consulting Korea (HQMC) is planning to develop a 10,000MW solar farm in Nigeria.


The project involves the construction of substations, access roads, control rooms, administrative buildings and related facilties on 84ha of land, as well as the installation of modules, generators, transformers and plant equipment.


With a total investment of $30bn to be spread over a 10-year period, the project is expected to create around 10,000 jobs during operation, with an estimated $1.8bn to be generated annually from the installations.

Mariah Wind Farm, US: 10,000MW

Scandia Wind Southwest’s Mariah wind farm project is being developed at Panhandle, Carson County, in Texas, US. The purpose of the project is to generate electricity through clean and renewable sources and enhance the power generation capacity of the state to meet the growing demand for power.


The 10,000MW project will be developed in three phases: the first phase will create 2,200MW of power generation; the second phase will add 2,800MW; while the third and final stage will add 5,000MW to bring the wind farm to its total generation capacity. As of February 2018, construction works on the first phase are underway.

Solar Power Plant, Qatar: 10,000MW

Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) plans to undertake a 10,000MW solar power programme in Qatar. The project, which will have an investment of $10m, involves the construction of power houses, substations and related infrastructure, the installation of solar panels, generators, inverters and transformers, and the laying of transmission lines.


The programme is scheduled to be completed by 2030, and is part of Qatar’s plans to catch up with neighbouring countries in the Middle East by expanding its renewable energy infrastructure.

Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant, India: 9,900MW

The $24bn Jaitapur nuclear power plant, operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India, involves the construction of a 9,900MW nuclear plant in Jaitapur in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. The project will help India to meet its ever-growing demand for energy; by 2030, the country’s installed nuclear capacity is expected to grow to 63GWe.


The Jaitapur project aims to meet the demand-supply gap of 14%, requiring capacity addition of 90,000MW-100,000MW every five years. It is part of an initiative under a bilateral agreement signed between India and France in 2008, in which the two countries agreed to work together for the development of nuclear energy. In June 2018, EDF and GE signed an agreement to construct six nuclear power units for the project.

Upper Siang Hydroelectric Power Plant, India: 9,750MW

National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) Upper Siang hydroelectric power plant will have an installed capacity of 9,750MW and will be located on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh, India. The $15.65bn project aims to enhance electricity production to meet expected demand of 950,000MW by 2030, utilise available natural resources, and reduce the number of frequent power cuts in the easternmost regions of India.


In October 2017, the Central Government proposed to build a 300m high dam with power generation combined capacity of 10,000MW, which would replace the previously planned project and increase its capacity. A final decision regarding this plan is yet to be confirmed, and it is facing opposition from locals.

Kayan River Hydroelectric Power Plant, Indonesia: 9,000MW

The Kayan River hydroelectric power plant has been planned for the Bulungan Regency in Indonesia. The project was initially planned with a capacity of 6,080MW, however this has since been increased to 9,000MW. It will be developed in five stages, the first of which includes the construction of a 900MW power plant, comprising a dam measuring 85m high.


Developers are currently in the process of obtaining construction permits, subject to which construction will commence. The first stage is expected to take 4-5 years to complete, with the entire project costing $17.8bn.

Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant, China: 7,500MW

Shandong Nuclear Power Company is developing the Haiyang nuclear power plant with a generation capacity of 7,500MW in Haiyang, Shandong, China. The plant will use AP1000 technology, and will be developed in three phases with two units of 1,250MW each. Construction work on the first phase began in 2009, with units I and II coming online in 2014 and 2015, respectively.


With a total investment of $14.3bn, the plant will provide more than 10% of China’s total nuclear power capacity when complete. It will help China to increase its nuclear power capacity to reach 40 million kW by 2020, and to generate between 260 billion and 280 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year.

Bunji Hydroelectric Power Plant, Pakistan: 7,100MW

China Three Gorges Corporation is planning the construction of the Bunji hydroelectric power plant near the Diamer Bhasha Dam in Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan on the Indus River. The aim of the project, which will have an installed capacity of 7,100MW, is to fill the electricity demand-supply gap in the region.


Pakistan currently faces a daily shortage of up to 5,000MW, so this new project is part of the government’s initiative to reduce the gap in supply. As of June 2018, planning activities for the $13.5bn project were underway.

East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm Development, UK: 7,114MW

The East Anglia Offshore Wind Farm project involves the construction of an offshore wind farm to generate 7,114MW of renewable energy, off the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk, UK. The site of the $35bn project, which is being developed by a consortium of ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall, was chosen because of excellent wind resources and existing power transmission availability. Upon completion it will be able to provide around 8,400 homes with clean energy, and will displace over 75,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.


In July 2018, the ground breaking ceremony was held on the O&M building. The first phase of the project, known as East Anglia One, includes the installation of 102 Siemens 7MW turbines. Planning activities on East Anglia Two are currently underway.

Taishan Nuclear Power Plant, China: 7,000MW

Taishan Nuclear Power Joint Venture Company is building a nuclear plant in Guangdong, China. With a total generation capacity of 7,000MW, the $15.6bn project will meet demand for energy in the region, and will be based on advanced EPR technology.


The Taishan nuclear plant is part of China’s plan to increase its total installed nuclear power generating capacity from about 1.2% to 5% by 2020. It will save 10.5 million tons of coal per year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 22 million tons annually. The joint venture company is a consortium of Guangdong Nuclear Power Holding and French energy company EDF. Construction has been completed on the first unit of phase one, while installation of equipment is underway on the second unit.

Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, China: 7,000MW

The Sanmen nuclear power plant in Zhejiang, China, is being developed by Sanmen Nuclear Power Company, a consortium of five Chinese energy entities. The project involves the construction of four 1,250MW nuclear power units and two 1,000MW nuclear power units, and will be implemented in three phases.


The project will also include construction of water treatment systems, installation of AP1000 pressure vessel and safety equipment. It will create additional power generation capacity and provide adequate power facilities in China, bridging the supply-demand gap. The entire project is slated for completion by Q4 2023, and will cost approximately $17bn.

Baltic Nuclear Power Plant, Poland: 6,000MW

The 6,000MW Baltic nuclear power plant is proposed on the Baltic Coast in Poland, with the final location yet to be finalised. Once completed, the project will be the first nuclear power plant in Poland, allowing the country to diversity its energy sources to meet European requirements to reduce CO2 emissions and increase energy independence.


To be operated by PGE EJ 1, a company formed by PGE, ENEA, KGHM and Tauron Polska Energia, the project will comprise of two units, each with a capacity of 3,000MW. As of September 2018, PGE EJ 1 was seeking additional investors for the development, which has an estimated cost of $18bn.

Haixing Nuclear Power Plant, China: 6,000MW

China Huadian Corporation is constructing the Haixing nuclear power plant in Hebei, China. The project involves the construction of a 6,000MW plant with six units of 1,000MW each. To be developed in three phases with a total investment of $16bn, the project aims to increase the average power generation capacity of the region.


China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. has been appointed as the EPC contract for Unit I and Unit II. As of October 2018, the project is in the execution stage.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, India: 6,000MW

Nuclear Power Corporation of India is undertaking the construction of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu, India, on the coast of the Gulf of Mannar. The project involves the construction of a 6,000MW plant comprising of six 1,000MW units, and is a collaboration between India and Russia, under a contract signed in 1988 before the collapse of the Soviet Union.


Work on the project was suspended from September 2011 to March 2012, due to protests over its safety and concerns about the environmental impact of the project. Construction activities are, however, underway and the entire project is expected to be completed by 2026 at a total cost of $16.35bn.

Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant, China: 6,000MW

Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Co.’s Fuqing proposed 6,000MW nuclear power plant will be located in Fuzhou, China, and will enhance the power availability in the country. The proposed plant will provide more than 10% of the country’s total nuclear capacity when complete. It will be developed in three phases, with two units of CPR 1,000MW in each phase.


By July 2017, units 1-4 were in operation and connected to the grid. As of April 2018, construction works on the rest of the project are ongoing. The project is part of the Chinese Government’s efforts to address climate change by developing non-traditional power plants. The plant will be completed with an investment of $14.6bn.

Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm, UK: 5,986MW

UK organisation The Crown Estate and Orsted are undertaking the construction of Hornsea Zone Offshore Wind Farm project in Yorkshire, UK. The project aims to deliver a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs by 2020, and will be delivered in four stages.


The $23bn project will have an installed capacity of 5,986MW across 600 wind turbines. In September 2018, Orsted signed an agreement to sell 50% of Hornsea One to Global Infrastructure Partners for $5.88bn.

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE: 5,600MW

A new nuclear power plant is being constructed in Barakah, in the western region of Abu Dhabi, UAE, by ENEC and Korean energy company KEPCO. The project involves the construction of a 5,600MW plant comprising four nuclear reactors of 1,400MW each. The four reactors are expected to facilitate 25% of the UAE’s electricity and save up to 12 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually.


In March 2018, construction work on the first unit was completed. As of July 2018, 93% of construction activities on the second unit, 83% on the third, 72% on the fourth and 89% on the entire project were completed. The $32bn project is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

Cover image credit: photocosmos1 / Shutterstock.com

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