By Josephine Sun

Myanmar to Gain from Three Gorges Experience

By Josephine Sun

Delegation of Myanmar journalists visits the site of the Three Gorges Dam as it surpasses the 1 trillion kilowatt-hour milestone

“I am glad to share with you some great news - The Three Gorges Project has surpassed the 1 trillion kilowatt-hour mark in power generation after 14 years of operation,” exclaimed Yang Jun, manager of the publicity and branding department of China Three Gorges Corporation, speaking to a media delegation from Myanmar.

The Three Gorges Power Plant went into partial operation in 2003, and full operation in 2012. By 2014 it had broken the power generation world record for a single power plant by producing 98.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity for the year.

Milestone

Just how much power is equivalent to 1 trillion kilowatthours? It is enough power to sustain 100 million families of three for nearly six years, the entire population of Beijing for 10.5 years or the entire Chinese population for 60 days. At this output, the Three Gorges Power Plant has made tremendous contributions to China’s emission reduction ef f orts —its environmental benefit is tantamount to the creation of a forest as large as one third of the Greater Khingan Mountains, a 1,200-kilometer range found in Northeast China. This feat is especially extraordinary for a project that was built primarily for flood prevention.

By employing innovative technologies, the Three Gorges has set an example of technological maturity and high efficiency for the world’s hydropower industry.

“The Three Gorges Corporation owns the worlds’ largest hydropower station, and is also the world’s largest clean energy company,” said Chen Shi, president of China Report Press and deputy editor-in-chief of China International Publishing Group. “Conscientious in protecting the environment and fulfilling its social responsibilities, it is a paragon of Chinese enterprises.”

The media serves as a bridge between dif f erent peoples and enables exchange of information. Chen said she hoped that during the reporting trip to the Three Gorges, both Chinese and Myanmar journalists could learn from the project.

The Three Gorges plant generates electricity by using the flow of water, a clean source of energy, and therefore gives China a huge boost in cutting back energy consumption and industrial emissions. Its electricity production surging past the 1 trillion kilowatt-hour mark is of particular significance because the country is grappling with escalating air pollution.

Power shortage has been a chronic problem for the Myanmar economy and people’s general wellbeing. Last March, journalists from multiple mainstream Myanmar media outlets, including television channels, news agencies, websites, weekly magazines and daily newspapers, joined their Chinese peers from China Report ASEAN for a reporting trip to the Three Gorges in Yichang, Hubei Province.

In Yichang, the delegation gained improved knowledge and understanding of the mammoth project during visits to the Three Gorges Museum, the Three Gorges Dam’s giant boat lift, the Three Gorges Left Bank Power Station, Tanziling Scenic Resort, the Chinese Sturgeon Research Institute and a local botanical garden. The journalists were impressed by the multi-dimensional benefits the corporation has brought to the society: by producing clean energy it protects the environment, advances the comprehensive utilization ofwater resources and increases shipping volume, realizing the harmonious and sustainable development of humankind and water resources.

Myanmar journalists during a visit to the headquarters of China Three Gorges Corporation.

An Awe-inspiring Project

The Myanmar journalists learned of the century-long evolution of the Three Gorges Project — from proposition to construction — at the Three Gorges Museum. Every step in this course, ranging from feasibility research and field studies to systematic planning, is a testament to the social responsibility the government and constructors feel toward the country.

“This is a gigantic project. I am proud of the Chinese people,”acclaimed delegation head Han Win Aung. He said he saw the determination and perseverance of Chinese people in this project, as well as their strength in technology and innovation. He said he looks forward to the power station breaking more records in the future following the 1 trillion kilowatt-hour milestone.

The Three Gorges reminded Kyaw Myo Min from the Myanmar Akonthi Company of many similar projects built in his country, which were often disputed or even opposed due to environmental concerns. The Three Gorges convinced him that it is possible for hydropower plants to maintain harmony with the natural environment.

“This is a world-class project from which I can see the confidence China has in its infrastructure projects,” Kyaw Myo Min said. “It deserves our respect that many decades were spent on planning and feasibility studies. Myanmar may learn from the Three Gorges when building similar projects, adopting stringent environmental protection measures and exploring integrated functions, including power generation, flood prevention and tourism.”

Moe Khaing from Mizzima Media, a weekly publication, said that he previously thought it impossible that a large engineering project like a dam would not cause significant environmental damage. Upon visiting the Three Gorges site, however, Moe Khaing said he was awed by the project’s professionalism in environmental protection measures, including measures designed to maintain populations of Chinese sturgeon and rare plants.

When asked what impressed him the most at the Three Gorges, Tin Aung Moe from MRTV cited its attention to detail, which can be discerned in every aspect of the project, including design, construction and environmental protection features.

May Thet Zin from Democracy Today felt regret he did not see the boat lift in operation.

“This device is magnificent and ingenious,” he said. “I would really love to see how it works.”

Kyaw Moe Min Kyaw from MITV said he learned a lot during the visit, especially in the area of environmental protection. The construction of this gigantic project didn’t trigger an environmental crisis, instead providing a better living environment for local wild animals.

“Clean energy is nature’s gift to humankind,” said Shan Haichao, the Three Gorges Corporation’s chief representative in Myanmar.“Our corporation will promote hydropower, wind power and solar power in Myanmar.” Shan added that he hopes these sources of clean energy can alleviate Myanmar’s power shortages, including in cities and its mountainous areas, where blackouts for 10 hours or more per day are frequent occurrences.

Shang Wei, who works for the company’s publicity and branding department, said this particular trip was the first time the company received a media delegation from Myanmar. The Three Gorges Corporation is ready to help Myanmar, a friendly neighbor of China, solve its power shortage problems.