Three posts and two are about China’s Three Gorges - a subject which has already been subjected to publicity overkill. But, without wishing to sound like a god dam (no apologies for that particular pun) gorge geek, I couldn’t ignore this latest report from Xinhua about power generation plans.
Having reported that the water level of the reservoir was being lowered to bail out the thirsty lower reaches of the Yangtze River - the water level is at an all-time low -, the China Three Gorges Project Corporation has set a power generation target which relies on the significant raising of the water level in the reservoir.
The Three Gorges power plant and the downstream Gezhouba power plant on China’s Yangtze River plan to generate 78.6 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity in 2007, up 23 percent on the previous year.
The raised water level in the Three Gorges Reservoir and new generators that will come into operation this year will ensure fulfillment of the target, said Cao Guangjing, deputy general manager of China Three Gorges Project Corporation, which manages the two power plants.
I am annoyed I wasn’t in my Xinhua box of an office when this story was released. The article ignores the issues of drought and a reduction in the water level - due to a general lack of thought by this particular journalist rather than censorship. It also allows Cao Guangjing to get away with being vague. He has set a target of 78.6 billion kwh of electricty in 2007 but has attributed that to the Three Gorges and another power plant. So now we may never know the specific Three Gorges target and if they are struggling to meet it. This could have been a deliberately vague target or just inept reporting from the Xinhua local bureau journalist. But the main question that arises is: Did they ever actually reduce the water level of the reservoir in response to water shortages?
China Law Blog | 04-Mar-07 at 2:12 pm | Permalink
So at what point can we declare the dam a bust?
Charlie | 04-Mar-07 at 5:35 pm | Permalink
Nice looking site here Chris - I look forward to seeing how it develops…and seeing if you get similar number of irate trolls commenting obnoxiously on your stories just because you work in the State media…it’s fun!
I’m with you on the Damn - it seems such a contradictory project: They say hydropower is ‘clean’ energy, but it would take a thousand coal power plants to cause the same damage to wildlfe and environment made by the dam. I’ve seen the beautiful ‘little’ gorges before they were flooded, and the thought they have disappeared forever is a shocking one
Chris O'Brien | 06-Mar-07 at 12:29 am | Permalink
I suppose its status as prestigious state project won’t allow us that luxury. As we all know, the government will just continue to pour money into the Three Gorges Corp to shore up losses incurred through a power shortfall and prevent the media from discussing any negative impact it is having on the Yangtze. But if serious drought along the river proves to be a trend rather than a blip, then it can’t just operate at the expense of everything else and concessions will have to be made. Maybe Pan Yue, SEPA’s deputy director, can go off on one again and point the figure at the Three Gorges Corp (apparently he is known as “Hurricane Pan”, and is regarded as one of China’s most promising officials - which I think is a compliment). Or maybe not given SEPA’s limited authority. The site http://www.threegorgesprobe.org is full of comments from people who actually know the ins and outs. It is unsurprisingly in need of a proxy.
Chris O'Brien | 06-Mar-07 at 12:50 am | Permalink
Cheers Charlie, much appreciated - I still have no idea how I managed to summon the technical skills to come up with a vaguely presentable blog. Although I suspect I didn’t actually need any. While enjoying your recent posts (thought the Beijing slum would make an interesting story), I did indeed notice your firmly established fan base. I can only hope for similar goading in the future! I keep meaning to write a 32-page dissertation on why its ok to work for state media but never quite get round to it..
nanheyangrouchuan | 03-Jul-07 at 9:01 am | Permalink
Here’s a question that hasn’t been asked.
The North-South diversion project takes alot of its intended water from tributaries of the Yangtze and the Yangtze itself to feed the dry northern rivers, so where is the Yangtze going to get enough water to keep the 3 gorges resevior full enough to produce electricy? Or keep the Yangtze river level high enough for ship traffic?
Aidan Walker | 05-Jul-07 at 3:32 am | Permalink
Hi Chris, excellent blog, want one just like it. What have you got or where will I find good stuff on environmental and ’sustainable’ stories in China? I’m researching content for the UK PAvilion at Shanghai Expo 2010.
many thanks
Aidan
Chris O'Brien | 08-Jul-07 at 12:08 pm | Permalink
Hi Aidan, thanks for your comments - I will email you a couple of ideas later today. Cheers.