Beijing, Nov 23: One more 700,000 KW generator of the massive three gorges project on the middle reaches of the Yangtze river has been connected to the power grid and started commercial production. So far, the first group batch of six generators of the world's largest hydroelectric project have started power generation, head of three gorges hydropower plant Zhang Cheng, was quoted as saying by Chinese media today.

The three gorges project, the construction of which commenced in 1993, is designed to have 26 generators - each having a capacity of 700,000 KW - and will be able to generate 84.7 billion KWH of electricity a year on completion in 2009. The first generator began formal power generation on July 10. As per the original construction schedule, only four generators were to be installed this year but six have been operationalised.

According to Zhang, the water level in the reservoir has risen to 139 metres and all six generators are operating well, with the daily power generation peak amounting to 84 million KWH.

So far, the project has generated 5.33 billion KWH of electricity and is expected to produce over 6.13 billion KWH by the end of the year. The estimated total cost of the project is 21.8 billion US dollars.

Bureau Report