China moves ahead with project to rival Three Gorges in size

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

BEIJING (AFP) — China has kicked off construction of a giant dam on the upper parts of the Yangtze as part of a plan that will eventually rival the Three Gorges project in size. The 28.9-billion-yuan (3.7-billion-dollars) Xiangjiaba project, in southwest China's Sichuan province, will have six million kilowatt of installed capacity when completed in nine years, the China Daily said Monday.

When combined with the 12.6 million kilowatt Xiluodu project, started further downstream 11 months ago, it will be the equivalent of the 18.2 million kilowatt Three Gorges Project, the largest hydro project in China. "The project will have to face manifold challenges, including environmental protection and resettlement of residents," said Fan Qixiang, the vice-president of China Three...