Baihetan Dam
The world's second-largest power plant—and home to the largest turbines ever built
Location
History & Background
Construction on Baihetan Dam began in 2008 and the first generator unit came online in June 2021—on the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party. The project was officially declared complete in December 2022 when the final of its 16 units entered service. Built on the Jinsha River, the upper reach of the Yangtze, Baihetan is the centrepiece of a four-dam cascade that also includes Wudongde, Xiluodu, and Xiangjiaba—together producing more electricity than the entire country of Spain consumes.
Why It Matters
Baihetan introduced the world's first 1,000-megawatt hydroelectric turbines—a technology breakthrough that significantly reduces the number of generators needed to harvest a given amount of energy. The plant's 16 GW of capacity makes it the second-largest power plant on Earth after Three Gorges, and its annual output of roughly 62 TWh is equivalent to burning 19 million tonnes of coal. The dam is a cornerstone of China's strategy to peak coal use before 2030.
Environmental Impact
The 200 km² reservoir required relocating roughly 100,000 residents from the Yunnan-Sichuan border region. Like other dams in the Yangtze cascade, Baihetan disrupts natural sediment flow and fish migration, though the operator has invested in fish ladders and a hatchery for endangered Yangtze species. By displacing coal-fired generation, Baihetan is estimated to prevent about 51 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
Fun Facts
- Each of Baihetan's 16 turbines is the size of an eight-storey building and weighs about 8,000 tonnes.
- The dam's 289-metre-tall arch is roughly the height of the Eiffel Tower.
- The transmission line from Baihetan to Jiangsu (eastern China) is 2,087 km long—one of the longest ultra-high-voltage DC lines in the world.
- Baihetan was originally projected to overtake Three Gorges in annual output once at full capacity. In practice, Three Gorges retains the lead because its river has slightly more annual flow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baihetan Dam bigger than Three Gorges Dam?▾
No. Three Gorges has 22,500 MW of installed capacity versus Baihetan's 16,000 MW. Baihetan does, however, use larger individual turbines (1,000 MW each) than Three Gorges (700 MW each).
Where is Baihetan Dam located?▾
Baihetan straddles the Jinsha River on the border between Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southwestern China, roughly 200 km downstream of the Wudongde Dam.
When was Baihetan Dam completed?▾
Construction began in 2008. The first generator entered service in June 2021 and the final (16th) unit was commissioned in December 2022.
About Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power plants use the kinetic energy of flowing or falling water to generate electricity. They are renewable, produce no direct emissions, and can provide reliable baseload power or flexible peaking capacity.
Other Hydroelectric Power Plants in China
| Name | Capacity | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Three Gorges Dam | 22.5 GW | China Three Gorges Corporation |
| Xiluodu Dam | 13.9 GW | China Three Gorges Corporation |
| Wudongde Dam | 10.2 GW | China Three Gorges Corporation |
| Xiangjiaba Dam | 6.4 GW | China Three Gorges Corporation |
| Longtan Dam | 6.4 GW | China Datang Corporation |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.