The reporter learned from CYPC, a subsidiary of CTG, that in the first quarter of this year, the world's largest clean energy corridor (hereinafter referred to as the "Great Corridor") maintained safe and efficient operation. The Great Corridor replenished more than 12 billion m3 of water to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, completed 3 ecological scheduling experiments, and generated a total of about 57.68 TWh of electricity. The electricity generation increased by approximately 9.4% year-on-year, setting a new historical high for the same period. The comprehensive benefits of the Great Corridor have been fully realized.
The Great Corridor, which consists of six cascade hydropower plants (namely Wudongde, Baihetan, Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Three Gorges, and Gezhouba HPPs), was fully completed and put into operation on December 20, 2022. Its total installed capacity reaches 71.695 GW, with an average annual water replenishment of over 30 billion m3. It carries out approximately 12 ecological scheduling experiments each year, such as selective water withdrawal and base-load power generation, thereby laying a solid foundation for safe flood control, water supply, navigation, energy, and ecosystem in the Yangtze River basin.
In the first quarter, under the guidance and support of the Changjiang Water Resources Commission of the Ministry of Water Resources, State Grid Corporation of China, and China Southern Power Grid, CYPC coordinated multiple goals, including power station maintenance, reservoir drawdown, navigation, water replenishment, and energy supply guarantee. It achieved efficient utilization of water resources by continuously optimizing the joint operation plan of the cascade hydropower plants and seamlessly coordinating the maintenance plans of the hydropower plants.
During the power supply guarantee period for the Two Sessions, the operational efficiency of 110 units in the Great Corridor was significantly improved, the energy storage value of the reservoir remained stable at a high level of 19 TWh, and the emergency peak-shaving capacity was elevated to 42 GW. During this period, a total of 4.96 TWh of electricity was generated, with the daily average power generation increasing by 20% compared with the average of the past five years.
The water replenishment during the dry season, which began in December 2024, has achieved significant results. The cascade reservoirs in the Great Corridor have cumulatively replenished over 14.6 billion m3 of water to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. While ensuring the production and domestic water supply for residents along the river, they have significantly improved the water depth conditions for navigation and promoted the improvement of transportation efficiency in the "Golden Waterway".
In the first quarter, CYPC firmly grasped the window period for experiments and carried out ecological scheduling experiments at the appropriate times. Currently, the annual ecological scheduling experiment for selective water withdrawal through stop log gates at the Wudongde, Baihetan, and Xiluodu HPPs is proceeding in an orderly manner as planned. The Wudongde and Baihetan HPPs have conducted 3 ecological scheduling experiments for base-load power generation, creating favorable conditions for the natural reproduction of fish in the Yangtze River and effectively realizing the ecological benefits of the cascade reservoirs.
Next, CTG will promote the upgrade of precise scheduling, lean operation, and intelligent management of cascade hydropower plants on all fronts, with a focus on enhancing the comprehensive benefits of the Great Corridor, for the purpose of laying a solid foundation for achieving the annual goals.
(+86)0717-6767608Technical support provided by the Digital management center, CYPC China Yangtze Power Co.,LtdJing ICP Bei No.05051793-1
