CHINA . Hydropower

Funding of 2.59 bn yuan has been put in place for two more hydro projects along the Yangtze river. The China Yangtze Three Gorges Project Development Co is to build four step hydropower stations along the Jinsha river in the upper reaches of the Yangtze at Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Wudongde and Baihetan, bringing nearer an outcome first envisaged in 2002 when the State Council approved plans for the Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba hydro stations. Together the plants will have a capacity of 38.5 GW, exceeding that of the existing Three Gorges dam.

A fund of 2.59 billion yuan is to be put in place this year.

The Jinsha river has an energy potential of 112 million KW, about 16 % of the nation’s total.