Overview
Shanxi Wutai Gengzhen is a 1 MW hydroelectric power plant located in Shanxi, China. It is currently operational, contributing to local renewable energy generation.
Shanxi Wutai Gengzhen is a hydroelectric power plant situated in Shanxi Province, China. With a capacity of 1 MW, it is a small-scale facility that harnesses water flow to generate electricity. The plant is operational and serves the local grid. As a hydroelectric plant, it operates without direct fuel combustion, resulting in minimal air emissions compared to fossil fuel plants. In China, hydroelectric projects are subject to national environmental regulations, including the Environmental Impact Assessment Law and the Water Law, which govern water resource usage and ecological protection. Small-scale hydro plants like this one often benefit from simplified permitting processes but must still comply with local water rights and safety standards. The plant's small capacity suggests it likely serves a local community or industrial user, providing a stable and renewable power source. Its operation contributes to China's renewable energy targets and reduces reliance on coal-fired generation in the region. The facility's location in Shanxi, a province known for coal mining, highlights the diversification of energy sources in the area.
Environmental context
As a hydroelectric plant, Shanxi Wutai Gengzhen has a low carbon footprint but may affect local aquatic ecosystems through water flow alteration and potential habitat disruption. The small scale of the facility likely minimizes these impacts. In Shanxi, water resources are relatively scarce, so the plant's operation must balance power generation with agricultural and domestic water needs. The facility's environmental performance is subject to Chinese water resource and ecological protection regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Shanxi Wutai Gengzhen is located in Shanxi Province, China, at coordinates 38.7670 N, 113.6436 E.
Shanxi Wutai Gengzhen is a hydroelectric power plant, which generates electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing water.
The plant has a capacity of 1 megawatt (MW), classifying it as a small-scale hydroelectric facility.
Hydroelectric plants in China must comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, the Water Law, and other regulations governing water use, ecological protection, and safety. Small-scale plants may have streamlined requirements.
As a renewable energy source, the plant helps diversify China's energy mix away from coal, supporting national targets for clean energy and carbon reduction.