NDRC Approves Underground and Service Power Stations for Three Gorges Dam Project

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has approved plans for the construction of an underground power station and service power station in the Three Gorges Dam project. According to the NDRC, the plans will allow the project to better utilize water from the Yangtze River, reduce the amount of water wasted during flood season, increase the power supply and fully tap the benefits of the Three Gorges Dam.

The underground power station is expected to have a total installed capacity of 4,200 megawatts (MW) and an annual power generating capacity of 3.51 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). This project is expected to cost about $1.08 billion ($1 = 6.8 RMB). The service power station is expected to have two 500,000-MW mixed-flow hydraulic turbine generator units with a designed annual power generating capacity of 730 million kWh.

The underground power station will be connected to the Huazhong power grid at 500 kilovolts. The service power station will provide power needed by the Three Gorges power plants and the permanent buildings in Three Gorges Dam project. It will be used as both the major power supplier and the back-up power supplier. According to the NDRC, both power stations will be included as part of the Three Gorges Dam project. Their investments will be included into the budgetary estimates of Three Gorges Dam project.

The final approved total installed capacity of the Three Gorges power station is 22,500 megawatts.

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