Overview
Sichuan Danba County Kuiyonggou 1st Cascade is a 21 MW hydroelectric power plant in Sichuan, China. It is operational and contributes to the region's renewable energy capacity.
Sichuan Danba County Kuiyonggou 1st Cascade is a hydroelectric power plant located in Sichuan Province, China. With a capacity of 21 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the broader context of China's extensive hydropower sector. The plant is operational and plays a role in the local energy grid. The plant operates using hydropower, a renewable energy source that produces no direct CO2, SOx, or NOx emissions. In China, hydroelectric projects are subject to national environmental regulations, including the Environmental Impact Assessment Law and the Water Law. The technology typically involves run-of-river or reservoir-based systems, with this cascade design suggesting a series of turbines utilizing the Kuiyonggou river's flow. The facility contributes to Sichuan's energy mix, which is heavily reliant on hydropower due to the region's mountainous terrain and abundant water resources. Its operation supports grid stability and provides clean energy to local communities, aligning with China's goals for renewable energy expansion and carbon reduction.
Environmental context
The plant's hydropower generation avoids direct air emissions, but its environmental footprint includes potential impacts on local aquatic ecosystems and river flow regimes. Located in a mountainous region, the facility may affect sediment transport and fish migration. However, as a small-scale cascade, its cumulative effects are likely limited compared to larger dams. The surrounding area's ecological sensitivity is managed under China's environmental protection laws.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Danba County, Sichuan Province, China, at coordinates 30.5252 N, 101.7280 E.
The plant has a capacity of 21 megawatts (MW), classifying it as a small-scale hydroelectric facility.
It is a hydroelectric power plant, utilizing the flow of the Kuiyonggou river to generate electricity.
Hydroelectric projects in China must comply with the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, the Water Law, and other national standards for water resource management and ecological protection.
As a renewable energy source, the plant supports China's targets for increasing non-fossil fuel energy and reducing carbon emissions, aligning with the country's commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030.