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Sichuan hydroelectric project enters decisive phase and promises to change the country's energy matrix
The Shuangjiangkou Dam, which will be the tallest in the world, has started storing water and puts China's construction back in the world's spotlight with a billion-dollar megaproject.
China's construction enters new phase in southwest China
Located in the Tibetan and Qiang de Aba, in Sichuan province, the Shuangjiangkou Dam began filling its reservoir on May 1. The water level has now reached 2.344 meters above sea level, almost 80 meters higher than the original bed of the Dadu River.
The project, led by the state-owned Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), has been underway since 2015 and has an estimated investment of 36 billion yuan (around US$4,9 billion).
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Shuangjiangkou will be a key player in China's energy matrix
The plant is expected to start generating power by the end of 2025 and will have an installed capacity of 2.000 megawatts. This represents enough energy to supply more than 3 million homes per year. In addition, it is estimated that 2,96 million tons of coal will be saved and CO₂ emissions will be reduced by 7,18 million tons.
The storage capacity is 110 million cubic meters of water, almost eight times the volume of the West Lake in Hangzhou. The 315-meter-high structure will surpass the current world record-holder Jinping-I Dam, also in Sichuan.
Technological innovations challenge the limits of engineering
Since the beginning of construction, PowerChina has faced challenges related to its altitude of over 2.400 meters, as well as geological and seismic challenges. To overcome these, the project has incorporated remote sensors, 5G networks, robotics and drones. Robots with sensors monitor the ground in real time, while drones help identify environmental risks.
An article published in the journal Engineering, from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, highlighted the complexity of the work and the use of cutting-edge technology as a decisive factor for the success of the structure.
Environmental impacts and relocation worry experts
Although the government and PowerChina have promoted actions such as the creation of botanical gardens to preserve affected plant species, information on environmental compensation and resettlement is scarce. Studies indicate that large dams in China have already led to the displacement of more than a million people over the decades.
Furthermore, experts warn of consequences such as erosion, loss of biodiversity and destruction of cultural heritage.
Dams and megaprojects: tradition and controversy in China's construction
Since the 1950s, the China's construction has been marked by large water projects. The country has already built more than 22 dams over 15 meters high, almost half of the world total.
Most of these projects are concentrated in the southwest, in regions that are difficult to access and rich in biodiversity, such as the Yangtze and Lancang river valleys. Despite the benefits in terms of energy and irrigation, China's megaproject policy has always raised questions about sustainability and social impact.
