GE Vernova has been chosen by Yangtze Power for a vital upgrade to China’s Xiangjiaba Hydropower Plant. This strategic initiative encompasses the complete process, from designing and manufacturing to delivering, installing, and commissioning three main shaft air supply pipes. The anticipated timeline for this upgrade’s culmination is within the first half of 2024.
The primary objective behind this endeavor is the replacement of the air supply pipes to enhance the sealing effectiveness and sustain the overall efficiency of the hydropower plant.
Operational since 2014, the Xiangjiaba Hydropower Plant, with its impressive capacity of 6.4 GW and eight hydropower units, is situated downstream of the Jinsha River. It stands as one of China’s largest hydropower facilities. This project significantly contributes to transmitting energy from western regions to the eastern part of the country, providing cleaner electricity to approximately five million people each year. Beyond its power generation capabilities, the project yields benefits such as flood prevention, improved navigational conditions, and agricultural irrigation. Furthermore, it contributes to a substantial reduction of approximately 12 million tons of CO2 emissions annually—equivalent to the emissions generated by two million vehicles.
In a related context, GE Vernova has also secured orders for four gas turbines, bolstering the transition from coal to gas in China’s Greater Bay Area.
Roberta Galli, the Hydro Power Services Leader at GE Vernova, emphasized the enduring partnership between GE and Yangtze Power in maximizing China’s hydropower potential. Galli highlighted the substantial opportunity that China holds to further integrate renewable and dependable energy into its grid. This progression is not only pivotal for advancing the nation’s energy transition but also holds significance on a broader global scale.
With a remarkable installed capacity of 391 GW, China stands as the world leader in hydropower production, capitalizing on its abundant high mountain valleys and expansive rivers.
