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Asset class

Power Plant

OverWatts maps 29,849 power plants across 155 countries. China holds the most — 11,537, 39% of the world total, ahead of United States (3,831). Operating capacity totals 7439 GW. The largest is Motuo hydroelectric plant (60.0 GW).

The largest owner-operators worldwide are NextEra Energy Inc (178), EDF Renewables (142) and Ministry of Electricity (Iraq) (104). Half of the world's power plants in service predate 2015 (median commissioning year of the 14,491 with a known date), 6,781 came online in the past decade and the oldest still listed is Necaxa hydroelectric plant, dating from 1905. 13,500 more are under construction or proposed, the biggest being Motuo hydroelectric plant (60.0 GW).

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29,849
Power Plant
155
Countries
11,537
Most · China
7439 GW
Operating capacity
13,500
In construction / proposed

Largest power plants

Biggest owners & operators worldwide

Counts an asset once per company named as its owner or operator; a joint venture counts for each partner.

When they were built

Median commissioning year 2015 · 14,491 of 29,849 carry a start date

Largest under construction & proposed

Power Plant by country

Frequently asked

How many power plants are there in the world?
OverWatts maps 29,849 power plants across 155 countries, from open datasets.
Which country has the most power plants?
China, with 11,537 — 39% of the world total. Then United States (3,831) and India (1,675).
What is the largest power plant in the world?
Motuo hydroelectric plant, at 60.0 GW, operated by Huaneng Tibet Yalongzangbu Jiang Hydropower Development and Investment.
Who owns the most power plants?
NextEra Energy Inc is named as owner or operator on 178 of them, ahead of EDF Renewables (142), Ministry of Electricity (Iraq) (104) and Statkraft AS (102).
How much capacity do the world's power plants have?
About 7439 GW operating, with a further 8643 GW under construction or proposed.