TOPIC 'Wind Power' on May 26, 2009 (CEST)
China Trading Hydro For Wind
BEIJING - The Chinese government along with its state-owned power companies are discovering the reality that pursuing renewable energies often carries with it unintended consequences and increased costs. The China Three Gorges Project Corporation (CTGPC) recently announced the start of a transition to more wind power, citing the increased costs and risks associated with increasing hydroelectric capacity in the nation. Bi Yaxiong, the vice-general manager of CTGPC was quoted as saying, "Previously, the biggest problem for hydro power was the cost, but now the biggest problem is relocating people and protecting the environment. The increasing social impact of hydro power, including paying compensation for relocated people, along with other political changes, has had an impact on the safety of investment."
The Three Gorges Project, which began in 1993 with the government establishment of the CTGPC, completed the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in 2008. The dam is the world's larget hydropower facility, and has taken on a reputation as the most controversial project of its type. In the process of building the dam, land had to be acquired and 1.24 million people relocated. Various officials within the Chinese government have begun to question the wisdom of spending 180 billion yuan ($26.4 billion) as well as the ongoing expense related to the dam's operations, including abating the environmental impact the dam has on the surrounding area.
With a ship lift planned for the future, and six additional generators expected to be completed by 2011, the costs of the hydro power project continue to rise. China expects to spend 2.8 billion yuan to keep the Yangtze clean in coming years, but as pollution increases so will the amount of money needed. There's also the added cost of reforestation to replace the timber that was cut down during construction.
The CTGPC, which is currently developing four other hydro power projects has already altered some of its plans in favor of pursuing wind power. The government recently halted construction of several controversial hydro power plants on the Nu River in southwest China's Yunnan province. Last year, plans to submerge the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunna were scrapped after local communities and environmental groups raised serious objections.
Jason Grace
on behalf of the
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