Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station, Hydroelectric power station on Danube River, Romania and Serbia
The Iron Gate I Hydroelectric Power Station is a hydroelectric facility on the Danube River connecting Romania and Serbia, using twelve Kaplan turbines to generate electricity. The complex includes a large dam wall, locks for shipping, and machine halls on both sides of the river, together providing a capacity of over 2,000 MW.
Construction began in September 1964 as a joint project between Romania and Yugoslavia and was completed after roughly eight years of work. The facility entered service in the early 1970s and was at that time one of the largest of its kind worldwide.
The construction of the dam changed the landscape along the Danube and led to the loss of Ada Kaleh island, which once hosted an Ottoman community. Many residents of the island were relocated before water flooded the historic site with its mosque and fortifications.
The facility sits on the border between Romania and Serbia and can be reached by road from both sides of the river. Visitors should note that it is an active energy installation, and access may be restricted.
Modernization work has increased the output of each turbine from 171 MW to 194.3 MW, allowing the facility to boost its overall capacity without adding more machines. The electricity produced is divided equally between Romania and Serbia, reflecting the ongoing cooperation between both countries.
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