Geological disaster prevention measures for the gigantic
Three-Gorges Project on the Yangtze River are in full swing to
guarantee safe storage of water in the reservoir.
Shou Jiahua, vice-minister of land and resources, acknowledged that
geological disasters cannot be totally avoided in the region in the
coming years as soil and rock around the reservoir are expected to
be eroded because of water level fluctuations of from 130 to 170
meters.
"But we have prepared thoroughly to minimize damage from any
possible disasters," Shou yesterday told a press conference
organized by the State Council Information Office.
From June 2001 to June 2003, a total of 4 billion yuan (US$482
million) is expected to be invested in prevention and control work
in 197 possible landslide zones near the reservoir, a colossal
project designed to control flooding in the regions along the lower
reaches of the Yangtze River.
Guo Shuyan, director of the Office of the State Council Three
Gorges Construction Committee, said the project is progressing
smoothly and will start generating power in August next year.
Guo said that the No.2 and No.5 generating units will start
operation first, followed by the No.3 unit two months later and the
No.6 unit three months after that. The four units will be capable
of delivering a total of 5.5 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity
in 2003.
Situated in the western part of Yichang in central China's Hubei
Province, the project consists of a 2,309-meter-long,
185-meter-tall dam, and 26 generating units with a combined
capacity of 18.2 million kilowatts.
Upon completion in 2009, the project will be able to generate 84.7
billion kilowatt-hours of electric power annually. Its permanent
locks will accommodate ships of more than 10,000 dead weight
tons.
Hydropower specialists predict the power generation capacity of the
Three Gorges Project will remain unchallenged internationally for
many years to come.
The specialists reckon it would take 50 million tons of raw coal or
25 million tons of crude oil to produce the same amount of energy
as the annual output of the Three Gorges Project. Thus the project
will avoid the emission of 1 million to 2 million tons of sulfur
dioxide, 300,000 to 400,000 tons of nitrogen oxide, 10,000 tons of
carbon monoxide and 150,000 tons of soot into the air annually.
Guo said that by the end of August, approximately 70 percent of the
dam had been completed. The dam is designed to withstand the
heaviest flooding the river is capable of.
"The dam's design is absolutely safe, and when it is completely
finished, it will be able to control floods effectively," Guo
said.
"Having been severely tested by the floods this summer, the
completed sections of the dam have reassured people," said Guo.
(China
Daily September 11, 2002)