The first turbine generator on the right bank of China's largest
hydropower project, the Three Gorges Project, starts operation on
Monday after a 72-hour trial operation.
The 700,000-kilowatt No. 22 turbine began producing electricity
at 9:12 AM. The electricity is transmitted to the state power
grid.
The No. 22 turbine has become the first of the 12 turbines of
the gigantic project to be put into use on the right bank of the
Three Gorges, at the middle section of the Yangtze River, China's
longest.
The installation of 10 other turbines on the right bank is also
under way, according to the company.
The 14 turbines on the left bank of the Gorges began operation
in September 2005. By May, they had produced 160 billion kwh of
electricity for power-thirsty cities in central, eastern and
southern China.
The US$22.5-billion project was launched in 1993 in the
midsection of the Yangtze River, China's longest. Its 26
turbo-generators are designed to eventually produce 84.7 billion
kwh of electricity a year after completion in 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency June 11, 2007)
