The Three Gorges Project, the world's largest hydroelectric project, is ready to store water to the 156 meter mark following this year's flood season.

 

The project’s third phase on water storage has completed all necessities for a 156-meter high water level, said the Three Gorges Project’s technological assessment committee of the third phase construction after days of examination.

 

The 156-meter-high water level is the second phase of water storage for the Three Gorges Project, with its current water level ranging from 135 to 139 meters high.

 

The stored water level will reach its maximum height of 175 meters upon completion in 2009.

 

The project's main dam, which is 2,309 meters long and 185 meters high, was completed on May 20 this year.

 

Launched in 1993, the Three Gorges Project, built at an estimated cost of 180 billion yuan (approximately US$22.5. billion), will be installed with 26 generators with a combined generating capacity of 18.2 million kw and will be able to generate 84.7 billion kwh of electricity annually.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)