In 2023, the world’s largest clean energy corridor, comprising six mega hydropower plants situated along China’s Yangtze River, witnessed a notable increase in electricity production compared to the previous year. Data from China Yangtze Electricity Limited Company (CYPC), the operator of these power plants, indicates a 5.34% rise in electricity production, exceeding 276 billion kilowatt-hours. Consequently, the consumption of standard coal decreased by approximately 83 million tons, leading to a reduction of over 200 million tons in carbon dioxide emissions.
Completed in December 2022, the corridor features the fully operational Baihetan hydroelectric power station, located on the upper Yangtze River in southwestern China. The remaining five stations along the corridor include Wudongde, Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, Three Gorges, and Gezhouba.
These six hydroelectric power plants play a crucial role in transmitting electricity from China’s resource-rich western regions to the energy-consuming eastern regions. According to China Yangtze Electricity Limited Company, the combined installed capacity of these power plants stands at approximately 71.7 million kilowatts, significantly contributing to the nation’s clean energy goals and facilitating sustainable energy transmission and distribution.