From massive solar farms to innovative biogas initiatives, the world’s leading energy projects exemplify cutting-edge technology and strategic planning aimed at reducing carbon footprints and enhancing energy efficiency.
As the world grapples with climate change and energy demands, each entry in this Top 10 not only showcases impressive capacities and investments but also reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship and energy independence.
10. Three Gorges Dam
ABOUT CTG (China Three Gorges Corporation)
- Revenue: US$3.7bn (2023)
- Employees: 6,000+
- General Manager: Zhang Xingliao
- Founded: 1993
The world’s largest hydroelectric power plant, Three Gorges Dam began operating in 2008. It was built and is operated by China Yangtze Power, a subsidiary of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).
Located on the Yangtze River in China, it has a capacity of 22,500MW and generates about 95TWh of electricity each year.
As well as generating power, Three Gorges Dam can enact flood control and, as a result, offers improved river navigation. The project cost an estimated US$25-35bn.
9. Jiuquan Wind Power Base
ABOUT Gansu Longyuan Wind Power
- Revenue: US$5.3bn (2023)
- Employees: [unknown]
- President: Wang Liqiang
- Founded: 1993
Located in desert areas that have an abundance of wind, Jiuquan Wind Power Base — also known as the Gansu Wind Farm Project — is one of six national wind power megaprojects approved by the Chinese government.
The Gansu Longyuan Wind Power project is being built by more than 20 developers and is divided into multiple phases.
In 2017 the 2,383km-long Jiuquan to Hunan HVDC transmission line began operating, connecting the remote wind complex to the Hunan regional grid and allowing full utilisation of its generation capacity.
8. Western Green Energy Hub
ABOUT InterContinental Energy
- Revenue: US$1m
- Employees: 35
- CEO: Alex Tancock
- Founded: 2014
On completion, green hydrogen and solar energy project the Western Green Energy Hub (WGEH) will cover 15,000km² and is expected to produce up to 50GW of hybrid wind and solar power.
The project, located in Western Australia, is expected to cost close to US$74.7bn. The location was chosen thanks to its consistently high levels of wind and capacity for solar energy. The project will require about 3,000 wind turbines and 25 million solar panel modules to generate its anticipated capacity. It is being built by a consortium made up of InterContinental Energy, CWP Global and Mirning People.
7. China’s desert projects
ABOUT CTG (China Three Gorges Corporation)
- Revenue: US$3.7bn (2023)
- Employees: 6,000+
- General Manager: Zhang Xingliao
- Founded: 1993
China is undertaking massive renewable energy projects in its desert regions, where sun and wind are in abundance. A 100GW wind and solar project, currently in planning stages, would, on completion, become the world’s largest renewable energy project.
One such landmark project is the Kubuqi Renewables Base solar PV project, a 2GW site planned for a site in Inner Mongolia. Also developed by CTG, the project aims to help control desertification.
China’s largest single solar project for desert control, it is expected to generate 4.1bn kWh of clean energy each year, saving 1.25m tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon emissions by 3.94m tonnes.
6. Denmark’s energy islands
ABOUT Energinet
- Revenue: US$1.6bn (2023)
- Employees: 1,200+
- CEO: Thomas Egebo
- Founded: 2005
Denmark is constructing the world’s first energy islands, making the most of its abundant wind energy resources in the North and Baltic Seas.
The Danish government says these energy islands will form a crucial part of a hub-and-spoke grid, “facilitating smart electricity distribution between regions across the two seas”.
Key entities behind the energy islands, as well as the Danish government, include the Danish Energy Agency, Danish system operator Energinet and private sector partners, as well as the VindØ Consortium. Ørsted and ATP have announced plans to bid for the North Sea island project.
5. Australia-Asia PowerLink
ABOUT SunCable
- Revenue: US$1.9bn (2023)
- Employees: ~100
- CEO: Mitesh Patel (Interim)
- Founded: 2018
A proposed electricity infrastructure project expected to include the world’s largest solar plant, largest battery and longest submarine power cable, the Australia-Asia PowerLink — which collapsed in 2023 before being revived again later that year — is now set to supply electricity to Darwin by 2030 and then to Singapore a few years thereafter.
Now deemed technically and commercially viable by Singapore’s Energy Market Authority, SunCable’s Australia-Asia Power Link plans to send 1.75GW of renewable electricity to Singapore — about 15% of its current needs — via a 4,300km submarine cable.
“Conditional approval is a vote of confidence from the Singapore government,” Mitesh Patel, SunCable’s Interim CEO says.
4. Bhadla Solar Park
ABOUT ENGIE
- Revenue: US$82.6bn (2023)
- Employees: 96,000+
- CEO: Catherine MacGregor
- Founded: 2008
Bhadla Solar Park, a project won by ENGIE in 2016, began commercial operation in 2018. The size and scale — as well as desert location — is enough to put it on this list, but its dry robotic mechanism for cleaning modules sets it apart from other innovative projects. This optimised cleaning process is cost-effective and efficient all while guaranteeing long-term high performance. The best part? It does so without using water, significantly reducing the site’s water footprint. It is India’s largest solar park.
3. Alta Wind Energy Center
ABOUT NRG Energy
- Revenue: US$28.8bn
- Employees: 18,000+
- CEO: Lawrence Coben
- Founded: 1989
Also known as Mojave Wind Farm, Alta Wind Energy Centre is the third largest onshore wind energy project in the world. The majority of Alta Wind Energy Center is now owned by NRG Energy, with the site as a whole generating 3,189GWh of power annually. The site comprises 600 wind turbines and has a capacity of 1,550MW. The wind farm’s goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5.2 million tonnes annually — roughly the emissions emitted by more than 365,000 Americans.
2. Omkareshwar Floating Solar Power Plant
ABOUT National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)
- Revenue: US$1.27bn
- Employees: 12,000+
- Chairman and MD: Raj Kumar Chaudhary
- Founded: 1975
The world’s largest floating solar power plant is located in Madhya Pradesh's Khandwa district, India on the backwaters of the Omkareshwar Dam on the Narmada River. The site is operated by a joint venture between the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and the Madhya Pradesh government.
A 600MW project, the first 90MW phase was commissioned in August 2024 by SJVN. The project aims to generate clean energy while also reducing water evaporation from the reservoir.
The site is an example of advanced photovoltaic technology, with solar panels mounted on floating platforms that adjust to changing water levels. This design not only maximises land use efficiency but also benefits from the cooling effect of water, enhancing the panels’ performance. On top of this, the plant’s strategic location on the reservoir minimises transmission losses and leverages existing infrastructure.
1. Emasesa Biogas Pilot
ABOUT Emasesa
- Employees: 800+
- CEO: Manuel Romero
- Founded: 1974
Topping this month’s Top 10 is Seville’s water utility Emasesa and its biogas pilot, which transforms the seasonal nuisance of fallen oranges into an innovative green energy solution. The city's 48,000 orange trees produce more than 5.7 million kilograms of bitter oranges each winter, which typically litter the streets. Now, these unwanted fruits are being put to good use through the Emasesa Biogas Pilot project.
Municipal water company Emasesa is spearheading this initiative by harnessing the natural fermentation process of oranges to generate clean electricity. The project currently utilises 35 tonnes of fruit to power one of the city’s water purification plants.
Benigno López, Emasesa’s Head of Environment, has ambitious plans for the future. With an investment of €250,000 (US$267,800), the company aims to recycle all of Seville’s surplus oranges. This could potentially generate enough energy to power 73,000 homes, significantly boosting the city's renewable energy capacity.
To read the full article in the magazine click HERE
Explore the latest edition of Energy Digital Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Energy Digital is a BizClik brand
