China occupies the first global place both in number of dams and in the installed capacity of hydroelectric power, according to data released during the 28th Congress of the International Commission of major dams, held in Chengdu, in Sichuan province.
Until December 2024, the country built more than 94,000 records, a record number in the world, and reached 436 million kilowatts in installed hydroelectric capacity – 377 million kilowatts from conventional plants. The annual energy generation of these hydroelectric plants reaches 1.42 trillion kilowatts-hours, representing 57% of China’s total renewable energy production.
During the congress, experts pointed out that the country developed an integrated strategy for the use of water infrastructure to mitigate the effects of climate change, offering a potential international reference model.
In addition to generating energy, Chinese reservoirs play a crucial role in water and agricultural safety. The total storage capacity is close to 1 trillion cubic meters, with 185 billion dedicated to flood control. Annually, about 270 billion cubic meters of water are provided, benefiting over 35 million hectares of cultivable land.
China’s advancement in the sector reinforces its commitment to sustainable development and climate security, combining technological innovation with efficient water resources management.
Source: https://www.chinahoje.net/china-lidera-o-mundo-em-barragens-e-capacidade-hidreletrica-instalada/
