What parts of the world use hydroelectricity?
Hydroelectric power provides almost all the energy for some nations. Some countries that get more than 90 percent of their electricity from hydroelectric power plants are: Norway, Brazil, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hydroelectricity is also used in the UK, though only 1.4 percent of its electricity comes from hydroelectric power plants. And, of course, the U.S. also uses hydroelectricity, especially in states with big rivers or reservoirs, such as Washington State and Nevada.
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Hydroelectricity in Washington State
The state of Washington uses the most hydroelectric power in the United States. A major source of hydroelectricity in Washington is the Grand Coulee Dam. Grand Coulee is one of the largest dams in the world. It is the largest hydro-power producer in the United States, and is one of the top ten largest producers of electricity in the world. The Grand Coulee Dam generates more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Grand Coulee's power is used in Canada and the following eleven western states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. The Grand Coulee Dam produces enough power to supply 2.3 million households with electricity for a year. The picture to the left is a picture of the Grand Coulee Dam. |
Hydroelectricity in Nevada and Arizona
The Hoover Dam is located on the border of Nevada and Arizona. Though not quite the largest, this dam is still one of the largest in the USA. The Hoover Dam generates about 4 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric power each year. This is much lower than Grand Coulee Dam's 21 billion kilowatt-hours, but still a very high amount. In fact, it produces enough to supply 1.3 million people with electricity for a year. The dam's power is used in Nevada, Arizona, and California. The picture to the right is a picture of the U-shaped Hoover Dam. |
Hydroelectricity in the UK
Only 1.4% of the UK's electricity comes from hydroelectricity. However, it is a very reliable source of energy and therefore contributes to the overall reliability of the UK's supply of electricity. Unfortunately, most suitable sites in the UK already have hydroelectric power plants there, so there is not much more space to increase hydroelectricity's contribution to the UK's electricity supply. The picture to the left is a picture of Lake Vyrnwy Dam, located in Wales. |
Hydroelectricity in China
Three Gorges, located in China, is the world's largest hydroelectric power station. Its annual energy output is a whopping 84.7 billion kilowatt-hours. Finished in 2009, the Three Gorges Dam is probably one of the most recent dams to be constructed. It cost around $24 billion to build the dam, much more than the $300 million that it cost to construct the Grand Coulee Dam. The Three Gorges Dam is supposed to protect the people from floods of the Yangtze river, which has led to the death of over 300,000 people in the 20th century. The picture to the right is a picture of the Three Gorges Dam. |