The Yebatan Hydropower Station, a major project aimed at enhancing China’s renewable energy capacity, has successfully installed its first generator stator. This milestone, achieved on Wednesday, brings the station closer to becoming the largest hydropower facility on the upper Jinsha River.
Located at the border of Baiyu County in Sichuan Province and Konjo County in the Xizang Autonomous Region, the Yebatan station will have an installed capacity of 2,240 megawatts (MW) once completed, playing a critical role in optimizing China’s energy mix.
The 15.6-meter diameter stator, an essential component of the station’s generator, was lowered into place this week, initiating the assembly of the first generating unit. Next steps include tightening bolts, testing, and installing the rotor and turbine components. The station is expected to begin operating by the end of 2025.
Since its approval in 2016, the Yebatan project has faced challenges due to its high-altitude location, extreme weather, and complex underground construction. To address these, the project has utilized advanced technologies and a smart management platform. The dam, currently standing at 171 meters, will ultimately rise to 217 meters, making it China’s tallest double-curved arch dam.
Once fully operational, the Yebatan station will generate 10.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, offsetting 3.99 million tons of coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 7.37 million tons. The electricity will be transmitted via the Jinshang-Hubei ±800 kV UHV DC transmission line, the world’s first large-capacity hydropower-photovoltaic hybrid DC transmission system.
The Yebatan Hydropower Station marks a significant step in China’s green energy push, aligning with the country’s goals to reduce carbon emissions and support sustainable development.
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