Large dams | Spotlight on large dams


IWP&DC puts the spotlight on some of the largest and most significant dam projects completed globally in recent years. Many of these dams are located in developing countries and are aimed at increasing hydroelectric power generation capacity to meet growing energy demands


Baihetan Dam


arch dam with impressive specifications. The dam has a reservoir capacity of 20.627 billion cubic meters and features six flood gate structures and three spillway tunnels with a flood discharge capacity of 42,346m3


/sec. CTG


collaborated with Dongfang Electric Machinery Co.,Ltd. and Harbin Electric Machinery Factory for the supply of turbine generator units for this massive project.


Baihetan Dam, China


The Baihetan Dam, located on the Jinsha River in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, southwest China, is a monumental hydroelectric project. This 289m-tall double-curvature arch dam with a crest elevation of 827m is the world’s second- largest hydropower project, boasting a capacity of 16GW. The dam’s construction began in 2017, and it officially opened in February 2021 at a cost of ¥220 billion (US$31.58 billion). Equipped with 16 hydro-generating units, each with a capacity of 1GW, the Baihetan Dam is part of a clean energy corridor that includes other mega hydropower projects like the Three Gorges Dam, Wudongde Dam, Xiluodu Dam, and Xiangjiaba Dam along the same river system The Baihetan project has had a significant impact on the region, providing thousands of jobs to local residents while necessitating the resettlement of 32 villages totalling 50,178 residents. The project also contributes to flood control, improved navigation, and sand blocking in addition to its primary function of power generation. The hydropower station became fully operational on December 20, 2022, marking a milestone in China’s clean energy initiatives.


Developed by China Three Gorges Corp.


(CTG), the Baihetan project involved the construction of a concrete double-curvature


At the end of 2023, the Baihetan Hydropower Station was recognized as one of the ‘Top 10 Engineering Achievements Globally in 2023’ by the journal “Engineering,” published by the Chinese Academy of Engineering.


Wudongde Dam, China


The Wudongde Dam is located on the Jinsha River (an upper stretch of the Yangtze River) in southwest China. Straddling the border between Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, the project is China’s fourth-largest and the world’s seventh-largest hydropower plant. Construction of the Wudongde Dam began in December 2015 and was completed in June 2021, with the first turbines coming online in July 2020. The dam is owned by the China Three Gorges Corporation and boasts an impressive array of statistics and engineering achievements. Standing at 240m tall, the Wudongde Dam is one of the tallest in the world. Its design incorporates 12 turbines, each with a generating capacity of 850MW, bringing the total generating capacity to 10,200MW. This makes it capable of producing an average of 38.91 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30.5 million tons. The dam is the world’s thinnest high arch dam and the first-ever super-high arch dam poured with low-heat cement concrete throughout the entire dam body. This innovative approach to construction has set eight world records


and achieved 15 “world firsts” in hydropower engineering. Beyond power generation, the Wudongde Dam serves multiple purposes. Its reservoir, with a normal impoundment elevation of 975 m, has a total storage capacity of 7.41 billion cubic meters and a flood control capacity of 2.44 billion cubic meters. This significant water management capability allows for seasonal regulation of water levels, providing crucial flood control benefits to the region. The project has also been designed with


environmental considerations in mind. According to China Three Gorges Corporation officials, efforts have been made to minimize the impact on migratory fish. The slowing of the river’s flow and increased depth are said to promote fish reproduction. Additionally, the project includes initiatives for water and soil conservation, as well as ecological restoration, aiming to balance environmental protection with hydropower development. Economically, the Wudongde Dam is a cornerstone of China’s west-to-east power transmission program. It not only contributes to the country’s clean energy goals but also supports local economic development and poverty alleviation efforts. The project is expected to play a significant role in China’s ambition to reach peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.


Wudongde Dam


Baihetan Dam 44 | September 2024 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


Wudongde Dam (Credit GE)


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