The Three Gorges hydropower plant is expected to generate 37.5 billion kwh of electricity this year, 15 billion kwh more than original plan, according to the China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation.

Eight generators have been operating at the Three Gorges hydropower plant since July 10 of 2003. The total generating capacity had reached 5.6 million kw and the actual output had reached 22 billion kwh so far, said the deputy manager-general Bi Yaxiong.

The plant was expected to generate a total of 22 billion kwh in 2004, said Bi.

Three more generators, with an installed capacity of 700,000 kw each, will be installed and go into operation in the second half of this year and are expected to generate 21 billion kwh of electricity.

The gigantic water-control project will have 26 generators and will have an annual generating capacity of 84.7 billion kwh of electricity when it is completed in 2009.

By the end of 2003, the hydropower plant had generated 8.6 billion kwh of electricity, which was transmitted to areas incentral, eastern and southwestern China.

(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2004)