China to Build Giant Power Transporting Lines from West to EastWang Shucheng, minister of the Ministry of Water Resources, recently said that large hydropower stations at Longtan, Xiaowan, Gongboxia, Sanbanxi and Hongjiadu are to be built and hydropower will be exploited on Jinshajiang, Yabijiang, Daduhe, Lancangjiang and Hongshui rivers and the upper reaches of the Yellow River.Wang said, China's water resources and hydropower potential rank world sixth and first respectively. In 1999, the country had an electricity installed and generation capacity taking world 2nd and 4th places respectively. But against this is merely a limited hydro exploiting and utilizing ability and a reservoir storage capacity of only about 1/6 of the country's total runoffs. Problems still remain. A worsening situation of water environment has not been checked; droughts and water pollution are becoming grave causes affecting the country's economic development. Wang said to quicken the pace of tapping western hydropower resources and bringing about electricity transportation from west to east will rationalize China's power structure. |
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