China’s Three Gorges project generated 78.29TWh of power in 2011

The Three Gorges Power Plant, China’s largest hydropower project, generated 78.29TWh of electricity last year, according to China Yangtze Power Co.

Total power generation volume was down 7.2% YoY as water inflow was reduced. Water inflow quantities from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River fell by around 50% during the flood season last year when compared with previous years’ levels. However, the operator adopted optimised measures to control the water level and generator unit to minimise adverse effects, said the company in a statement.

The Three Gorges project is a multi-functional water control system, consisting of a 2,309-meter-long, 185-meter-high dam, a five-tier ship lock, and 26 hydropower turbo-generators.