By doing so, the China Yangtze Three Gorges Project Development Co (CYTGPDC) hopes to be able to have a total installation capacity of around 38.5 million KW and turn the Jinsha River into the biggest base for west-east electricity transmission.
CYTGPDC general manager Li Yong'an said, "The company will build four step hydropower stations along the Jinsha River section in the upper reaches of the Yangtze, namely, Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Wudongde and Baihetan."
"The four stations will boast a total installation capacity up to 38.5 million KW, both their total installation capacity and electricity-generating amount exceeding that of the two 'Three Gorges' projects," added Li. Being in the upper reaches of the Yangtze river, the Jinsha has the water energy capacity of around 112 million KW.
Work on the Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba had already begun two years ago with the former expected to be ready by damming in 2008 and electricity generation to begin in 2014. The latter should be ready by 2007 with electricity generation earmarked for 2012. Exploration and planning work for Wudongde and Baihetan is now underway.
