Overview
Gansu Bailong River Suoertou Hydroelectric is a 66 MW hydroelectric power plant located on the Bailong River in Gansu, China. It is operational and contributes to the region's renewable energy capacity.
Gansu Bailong River Suoertou Hydroelectric is a hydroelectric power plant situated on the Bailong River in Gansu Province, China. With a capacity of 66 MW, it is a medium-scale facility within China's extensive hydropower sector, which is the largest in the world. The plant plays a role in supplying clean electricity to the local grid, supporting the region's energy needs. The plant operates as a run-of-river or reservoir-based hydroelectric facility, typical for mountainous regions like Gansu. China's hydropower sector is regulated under national environmental and energy policies, including the Renewable Energy Law and emission reduction targets. The plant's technology likely includes turbines and generators suited to the river's flow characteristics, though specific technical details are not publicly available. Environmentally, hydroelectric power is a low-carbon energy source, but it can have local ecological impacts such as altered river flows and effects on aquatic habitats. The Bailong River is part of the Yangtze River basin, and the plant's operations are subject to environmental management practices to mitigate these impacts. The facility contributes to China's renewable energy goals and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Environmental context
Hydroelectric power generation has a low carbon footprint but can affect local ecosystems through changes in water flow and sediment transport. The Bailong River supports diverse aquatic life, and the plant's operations are managed to minimize ecological disruption. In Gansu, a region with significant hydropower potential, such facilities help reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to coal-fired plants.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on the Bailong River in Gansu Province, China, at coordinates 33.78° N, 104.3583° E.
The facility has a capacity of 66 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale hydroelectric plant.
It is a hydroelectric power plant that generates electricity by harnessing the flow of the Bailong River.
Hydroelectric plants in China are governed by the Renewable Energy Law, environmental impact assessment requirements, and national water resource management policies. They must also comply with emission reduction targets under China's climate commitments.
Hydroelectric power is a renewable energy source that produces low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, helping to mitigate climate change and reduce air pollution.