Water is needed to run a hydroelectric power-generating unit. The water is held behind a dam, forming an artificial lake, or reservoir. The force of the water being released from the reservoir through the dam spins the blades of a giant turbine. The turbine is connected to the generator that makes electricity as it spins. After passing through the turbine, the water flows back into the river.
Which country generates the most electricity from hydropower?
It probably comes as no surprise that China — famous for the 21,000-megawatt Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest-capacity hydropower plant — is the world leader in hydroelectricity.