In the first quarter of 2024, the six giant hydropower stations of Wudongde, Baihetan, Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Three Gorges and Gezhouba jointly created remarkable results. The world's largest clean energy corridor, which is jointly formed by these six giants, has generated more than 52 billion kWh of electricity in just one quarter. This figure not only represents the huge potential of clean energy, but also symbolizes mankind's firm pursuit of green, low-carbon and sustainable energy development.

52 billion kWh of electricity is equivalent to saving more than 15 million tons of standard coal, and its environmental benefits are self-evident. At the same time, this amount of electricity is enough to meet the living electricity needs of about 54 million people for one year, providing stable and clean electricity support for tens of millions of families.

But the value of the world's largest clean energy corridor is far more than that. It is not only the guardian of green electricity, but also the bond of the Yangtze River ecology. This clean energy corridor, which spans more than 1,800 kilometers and has a water level drop of more than 900 meters, has a total installed capacity of 71.695 million kilowatts through its 110 hydropower generating units, equivalent to the installed capacity of three Three Gorges Dams, and continuously provides strong momentum for my country's economic and social development.

Especially in the main flood season of 2024, in order to cope with possible major floods, the Three Gorges Reservoir has gradually increased the discharge flow since May. The current water level has dropped below 153 meters, freeing up about 18 billion cubic meters of storage capacity for flood preparation. This not only demonstrates the flood control capacity of the Three Gorges Reservoir, but also highlights the important role of the world's largest clean energy corridor in the flood control system of the Yangtze River Basin.

In addition, this clean energy corridor also provides important water resource guarantees for the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River through reservoir regulation. In the dry season, through water replenishment scheduling, more than 30 billion cubic meters of water have been replenished to the downstream, equivalent to the water volume of 2,100 West Lakes, effectively alleviating the water shortage in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

At the same time, as the world's largest inland ship lock, the Three Gorges Ship Lock provides strong support for Yangtze River shipping with its unique scale, continuous series, head and operating conditions. Up to now, the cumulative cargo volume of the Three Gorges hub has exceeded 2 billion tons, of which it reached a new high of 172 million tons in 2023, showing the strong vitality of the Yangtze River's "Golden Waterway".

The world's largest clean energy corridor not only provides a steady stream of green electricity for my country's economic and social development, but also becomes a green ecological link to ensure the Yangtze River's flood control, shipping, water resources utilization and ecological security.Editor/Cheng Ting