我国水电世界第一，最大的3座水电站位于湖北、四川与云南三省

Core Insights - Hydropower is a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source that utilizes the natural energy of river water flow without consuming water resources [1] - China has the world's richest hydropower resources, with a theoretical hydropower capacity of 694 million kilowatts and an annual theoretical generation capacity of 6.08 trillion kilowatt-hours, ranking first globally [1] Historical Development - The history of hydropower in China began in 1905 with the establishment of the first hydropower station in Taiwan, followed by the first hydropower station on the mainland in 1912 [3] - By 1949, the total installed hydropower capacity in China was 16.3 thousand kilowatts, which grew to 115 million kilowatts by 2005, maintaining the world's leading position [3] - As of August 2010, China's total installed power capacity exceeded 900 million kilowatts, with hydropower capacity surpassing 200 million kilowatts [3] Major Hydropower Projects - The Xiluodu and Baihetan hydropower stations are key components of China's "West-to-East Power Transmission" project, with Xiluodu having an installed capacity of 12.6 million kilowatts and ranking fourth in the world for annual generation [3] - Baihetan is the largest hydropower project under construction globally and will become China's second-largest hydropower station upon completion [3] Importance of Hydropower - The Three Gorges Dam is the largest hydropower station in the world and plays a crucial role in flood control, power generation, and navigation along the Yangtze River [5] - Hydropower stations significantly contribute to China's energy security, with Sichuan, Yunnan, and Hubei provinces leading in hydropower generation [7]