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Observations of American Dam Builder at Three Gorges
"The Three Gorges Project should be recognized for all the good it will bring," wrote an American dam builder involved in the construction of the world's largest hydro-power project here in central China's Hubei Province.
Dale Rosin, an engineer with the US Atkinson Construction Co., worked in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation as an equipment and machinery consultant in May 1999.
The expert said that his involvement in the construction of Three Gorges Hydro-Power Project is a pinnacle in his 30 years of career experience.
In a narrative article, he compared the benefits the project is expected to bring to harness the Yangtze and tap its huge resource potential to the equally arduous hydro-power construction deployed in the development of America's western region.
"Without development of the Colorado River, the civilization of Los Angeles and the productivity of Southern California would not have been possible..." said Ronsin, who himself inherited the spirit of pioneers of the American West.
Flood prevention is the first and most direct benefit of the Three Gorges project, he said.
Through sufficient research, he agreed that the Three Gorges is a crucial barrier to protect the vast flooding plain on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze. Upon the completion of the flood-control program, China will fulfill a long-cherished dream of harnessing the wanton river.
However, "the value is far beyond this occasional event," Ronsin said.
He employed his professional skill to calculate the economic value of the gigantic power facility.
The annual yield of electricity provided by the project is equal to the energy fueled by a pile of coal about "twice the size of the dam every year".
"Another measure would be that it constitutes perhaps 160 liters of gasoline for every person in the USA every year," said Ronsin.
Ronsin is confident that Three Gorges may only be seen in perspective in the new century.
"It took commitment and vision to begin something great," he said citing the "amazingly productive" Central Valley project in California as an example.
He said that he is impressed and privileged to observe the building and assemblage of productivity at the Three Gorges in action. "The technology is new, the innovation risky, the courage commendable."
Upon completion, the Three Gorges Project will be the world's biggest hydropower plant in terms of both total installed capacity and annual average power generation volume.
With the overall generation capacity estimated at 18.2 million kilowatts, the Three Gorges Hydropower Station will be hooked up with thermal power and hydroelectric grids in central and eastern China, thus improving the economy and reliability of the electric grids.
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