Asia | Complete and continuing
IWP&DC provides updates on hydropower and dam projects in development, under construction and recently completed across Asia
A MILESTONE FOR CHINA’S clean energy drive was achieved on 21 December 2022 with news that the 16GW Baihetan hydropower project – a key project for the country – was fully operational. The project boasts 16 x 1GW generating units, the world’s largest in terms of capacity for a single unit. The Baihetan hydropower project, located downstream from the Jinsha River on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southwestern parts of China, transmits electricity from the resource-rich west to energy-consuming regions in east China, contributing to the utilization of clean energy targets of the country. The project can generate 62.4 billion kWh of electricity a year, enough to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 75 million people while saving approximately 19.68 million tonnes of standard coal and reducing CO2
emissions by
Above: Baihetan project in China features 16 x1GW turbines
Below: The 16GW Baihetan hydropower project is now fully operational in China
approximately 51.6 million tonnes. The start of operation of No 9 unit at the plant in December marked the full completion of the project which started with approval of the feasibility study by the National Development and Reform Commission of China back in 2010. Construction works on the project were started in August 2017 and the first turbine unit was installed in January 2019. The Baihetan project was developed by Jinsha River Chuanyun Hydropower Development Company, which is a joint venture between China Three Gorges (CTG) Corporation (70%), Sichuan Energy Investment Group (15%), and Yunnan Energy Investment Group (15%). The project involved the construction of a concrete double-curvature arch dam with a crest elevation of 834m and a crest width of 13m. It comprises two underground powerhouses, one each on the left and right banks of the dam. The impoundment level of the dam is 825m, while
the reservoir capacity is 20.627 billion cubic metres. The dam is designed to have a regulation storage capacity of 10.43bcm and flood control storage capacity of 7.5bcm. The Baihetan dam has six flood gate structures and
three spillway tunnels. The flood discharge capacity of the project is 42,346m3
/sec.
CTG collaborated with Dongfang Electric Machinery, a power generation equipment supplier based in China, to develop the first 1,000MW turbine generator for the project. HBIS Wusteel was contracted to supply the turbine stay rings, generator lid, and control rings.
Dongfang will supply eight turbine generator units
to be installed in the left bank powerhouse of the Baihetan project, while Harbin Electric Machinery Factory was contracted to supply the remaining eight units of the right bank powerhouse. Caterpillar supplied machinery used in the earthworks of the project.
40 | February 2023 |
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Commercial operations A number of other projects across Asia have recently
entered commercial operation. In mid-January, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation announced it has commenced commercial operation of the 10.326MW Komatagawa New power plant, the first new hydroelectric power plant in Japan’s Akita Prefecture for 69 years. Komatagawa New power plant was planned and constructed in order to increase the power supply through efficient operation of the Komatagawa No.1, No.2 and No.4 Power Plants on the Komata river water system centered on Moriyoshi Dam. By efficiently taking in water previously released as unused energy, the power generation capacity of the Komata river water system is increased by 2860 kW, enabling an increase in annually generated power of approximately 13,400 MWh. With the completion of Komatagawa New power plant, use of the Komatagawa No.1 and No.2 were discontinued in October 2022. The Komatagawa New Power Plant takes water
directly from the outlet of the Komatagawa No.4 Power Plant directly under Moriyoshi Dam and transfers it through the 8.5km headrace tunnel to secure an effective head of about 90m and generate 10,326kW of power. All generated electricity will be supplied using the feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme for renewable energy. The power plant was constructed using electricity
from the existing hydroelectric power plants to minimize the environmental impact. Also in January, Thailand’s EGAT announced it has
started commercial operation at the Pha Chuk Dam Hydropower Plant. Mr. Somwang Puangbangpo, Governor of Uttaradit Province and Mr. Boonyanit Wongrukmit, Governor of Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) jointly presided over the opening ceremony of Pha Chuk Dam Hydropower Plant in Mueang District, Uttaradit Province on 18 January. Mr. Somwang Puangbangpo said that Pha Chuk Dam Hydropower Plant is an example of water resources management for optimal benefits. It will have multiple benefits including for agriculture and energy. Apart from enhancing the power system security of northern provinces, the power plant is expected to become a tourist attraction, and offers a new energy learning center for people in Uttaradit Province and nearby areas. Boonyanit Wongrukmit said that Pha Chuk Dam
Hydropower Plant is an outcome of the collaboration between EGAT and the Royal Irrigation Department to develop hydropower plants downstream of irrigation dams. The 14MW power plant houses 2 generators, each of which has a generating capacity of 7MW. It started commercial operation on September 30 to enhance power system security of the country and reduce CO2
emissions of 45,000 tons/year to help mitigate global warming. Moreover, the project
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