Impoundment begins at Hubei Energy-funded hydropower plant

The Hubei Energy-funded Jiangping River hydropower plant, the third highest rock-fill dam under construction worldwide, achieved a milestone on November 9, kicking off its first official impoundment that signals the plant is entering a preparation stage for power generation.

The plant is located adjacent to the main stream of the Loushui River of Hubei province. The clean energy of 450 MW generated from the plant will be transmitted to Hubei’s grid in central China to solve the problem of insufficient supply at peak times.

In addition, it will play a significant role in flood prevention, tourism and shipping. By benefiting a population of 220,000, it will be a “green engine” that drives the rapid economic growth of the river basin region.

The Jiangping River hydropower plant has two hydraulic generators that will produce 960 GW of electricity annually. With a total storage capacity of 1.37 billion cubic meters and a 219m high rock-fill dam, it is also the world’s highest rock-fill dam under construction. To date, it has been filled up to its design elevation of 472 m.