Overview
Sichuan Jiulong Sanyahe 1st Cascade is an operational hydroelectric power plant in Sichuan, China, with a capacity of 18 MW, contributing to the region's renewable energy supply.
Sichuan Jiulong Sanyahe 1st Cascade is a hydroelectric power plant located in Sichuan Province, China. With an installed capacity of 18 MW, it is a small-scale facility within the broader context of China's extensive hydropower sector, which is the largest in the world. The plant is operational and plays a role in the local energy grid, supporting the region's electricity needs. As a hydroelectric facility, it utilizes the flow of water from the Sanyahe River to generate electricity without direct fuel combustion, resulting in low operational emissions. The plant's technology is typical for run-of-river or small reservoir hydropower, common in mountainous areas of Sichuan. China's regulatory framework for hydropower includes environmental impact assessments and water resource management requirements under the Water Law and the Renewable Energy Law. The plant's location in Sichuan, a province known for its abundant water resources and mountainous terrain, is ideal for hydropower generation. Its 18 MW capacity places it in the small-scale category, often serving local communities or feeding into regional distribution networks. The facility contributes to China's renewable energy targets and helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels in the region.
Environmental context
The plant's hydroelectric nature means it has a low carbon footprint compared to fossil fuel plants, but it may affect local aquatic ecosystems through altered water flow and habitat changes. Sichuan's mountainous geography supports hydropower but also poses risks of sedimentation and seismic activity. The facility's small scale likely minimizes its environmental footprint, though cumulative impacts from multiple hydropower projects in the region are a consideration.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Sichuan Province, China, near the Sanyahe River, with coordinates approximately 28.7003° N, 101.9178° E.
The hydroelectric plant has an installed capacity of 18 megawatts (MW), classifying it as a small-scale hydropower facility.
It is a hydroelectric power plant, generating electricity by harnessing the flow of water from the Sanyahe River.
Hydroelectric plants in China must comply with the Water Law, Renewable Energy Law, and environmental impact assessment requirements, focusing on water resource management and ecological protection.
As a renewable energy source, it supports China's goals to increase non-fossil fuel power generation and reduce carbon emissions, aligning with national energy transition policies.