It’s been five years since the Three Gorges project on the Yangtze wrapped up—and wow, talk about a power-up for the region! From mega flood control to hydropower boosts and smooth sailing on the river, this colossal dam has been redefining life along the Chinese mainland’s biggest waterway 🌊.
Flood fighters on duty 🚨: By working hand-in-hand with upstream reservoirs, Three Gorges has held back more than 29 billion m³ of floodwater in the past half-decade—imagine 11 million Olympic-size pools! That’s kept cities downstream safer and more prepared for rainy seasons.
Clean energy hero ⚡: The project’s 34 high-tech generators have produced over 423 billion kWh of electricity—enough to power millions of homes, cut out 128 million tonnes of coal, and save 347 million tonnes of CO₂ from hitting our skies. Hello, greener future! 🌱
Water on tap 💧: When dry spells hit, Three Gorges steps up again, sending 82.4 billion m³ of water downstream. That’s vital for factories, households, and keeping our ecosystems healthy.
Smooth shipping lanes 🛳️: Big boats, small boats—you name it, the locks handle it. Cargo passing through topped 700 million tonnes in five years, with annual freight hitting a record 168 million tonnes in 2023. Plus, the ship lift has whisked 1.7 million passengers and 15 million tonnes of goods from A to B, hassle-free.
Built since 1994, this 2.3-kilometer dam stands 185 meters tall and packs a whopping 22.5 million kW capacity. Think of it like an epic upgrade in an open-world game—bigger, smarter, greener! 🎮🌱
Reference(s):
Five years on, Three Gorges project delivers all-round benefits
cgtn.com
