Aswan High Dam

Aswan High Dam is the continent's second-largest dam, located near the same-named city in southern Egypt. The dam, which spans the Nile, is the world's largest embankment dam, with a height of 111 meters and a length of 4,000 meters.

The dam has a total generation capacity of 2,100 MW, with twelve generators each producing 175 MW. Following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the government made it a priority to build the High Dam, based on the success of the Low Dam, which was then at full capacity. With its ability to better control flooding, provide increased water storage for irrigation, and generate hydroelectricity, the dam was seen as important to Egypt's planned industrialization. The High Dam, like its predecessors, had a tremendous impact on Egypt's economy and culture.

Country: Egypt
Construction began: 1960
Opening date: 1970
Electricity generation capacity: 2,100 MW