Hydropower remains the foundation of Europe’s energy security, providing stable electricity generation, grid flexibility, and support for the transition to a low-carbon economy. Advanced technologies and approaches in the construction and operation of European HPPs and PSPs serve as an important benchmark for the development of the entire energy sector.
A review of the top 10 largest hydropower plants by installed capacity helps to understand technological and infrastructure trends, as well as serving as a reference point for the development of hydropower in Ukraine. The most powerful HPPs and PSPs are located in different countries of the continent: Romania, Serbia, Switzerland, France, Norway, Georgia, Austria, and Iceland. Below is the current ranking of such complexes.
Top-10 Hydropower Plants and Pumped Storage Plants in Europe
-
Iron Gates I (Portile de Fier I) (Romania – Serbia, 2,160 MW)
Located on the Danube, on the border of Romania and Serbia, Iron Gates I is the largest hydropower plant in Europe with a capacity of 2,160 MW. Commissioned in 1972, it provides a significant share of electricity for both countries and plays a key role in the regional energy system.
-
Ulla-Førre Hydropower Complex (Norway, over 2,100 MW)
Located in the Rogaland region, the Ulla-Førre complex is one of the largest hydropower facilities in Europe. It consists of several plants, including Kvilldal, Saurdal, and Lysebotn II, and supplies electricity to over 1.3 million households. The plant has strategic importance for balancing Norway’s power system and exporting energy to the EU.
-
Grande Dixence (Cleuson-Bieudron) (Switzerland, 2,000 MW)
Grande Dixence is the largest hydropower plant in Switzerland, located in the canton of Valais. The 285-meter-high dam forms a huge reservoir, with main generation provided by the Bieudron plant, supplying electricity to about 900,000 households. The system also allows energy storage for peak loads.
-
Grand'Maison (France, 1,800 MW, PSP)
Grand'Maison is the largest pumped-storage power plant in France, located in the Alps. The station consists of two machine halls with 12 turbines and can quickly respond to changes in grid load, supplying electricity to more than 800,000 households.
-
Enguri (Georgia, 1,320 MW)
The largest hydropower plant in the Caucasus, located in Georgia. Commissioned in 1978, Enguri supplies more than 40% of the country’s electricity and is a key infrastructure facility in the region.
-
Bieudron (Switzerland, 1,269 MW)
Bieudron is one of the most powerful hydropower plants in Switzerland, part of the Grande Dixence complex. Commissioned in 1998, it has three Pelton turbines and provides a significant share of generation for the Swiss power system.
-
Kvilldal (Norway, 1,240 MW)
The largest hydropower plant in Norway, part of the Ulla-Førre complex. Commissioned in 1981, Kvilldal provides a significant share of Norway’s hydro generation.
-
Kölnbrein (Austria, 1,028 MW)
The largest pumped-storage plant in Austria, located in the mountainous region of Carinthia. Kölnbrein plays an important role in balancing Austria’s power system.
-
Limmern (Switzerland, 1,000 MW, PSP)
A modern pumped-storage plant in Switzerland, commissioned after expansion in 2017. Limmern provides flexibility and reliability to the Swiss power system.
-
Kárahnjúkar (Iceland, 690 MW)
The largest hydropower plant in Iceland, built to supply electricity to an aluminum plant and the national grid.
The top hydropower plants in Europe highlight the scale and importance of hydropower for the continent’s energy security. These facilities not only generate significant amounts of electricity but also provide grid flexibility, integrate renewable sources, and support a low-carbon economy. While hydropower projects in Ukraine largely remain within the sphere of state interests, the need for balancing capacity and energy storage is growing. That is why IKNET helps implement such solutions at the local level, including the construction of wind and solar power plants, and provides a full range of services from analysis to the deployment of modern BESS systems, which are key to the efficient operation of private sector energy facilities. For those seeking to develop their business in energy, we offer full support and engineering expertise.