China’s Three Gorges Project Development Corporation is said to be planning more hydro power plants in south-western parts of the country.

The government of Yunnan released information this week on plans for four large hydro schemes to be located on the Jinsha river, reported China’s Xinhua news agency.

Construction work is due to begin in 2005 on the Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba projects, which have already received approval.

The four projects together would be able to generate some 38.5GW, according to reports.