Background

The Ertan Hydropower Plant, located by the Yalong River in Panzhihua, an emerging industrial city in southern Sichuan Province, is China's largest hydropower project in the 20th Century, with 6 turbine units of 550 MW each, a total installed capacity of 3300 MW, and a yearly power generation of 17 GWH. Started in 1991 and completed at the end of 1999, the project adopted world advanced technologies and equipments, and set a national record of installation rate for hydropower projects. The project not only promoted the economic development of Sichuan and Chongqing, but also paved the way for the development of the entire West of China, especially the southwestern areas.

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