Overview
Yunnan Yongde County Dedanghe 3rd Cascade is a 17 MW hydroelectric power plant in Yunnan, China. It is operational and contributes to the region's renewable energy capacity.
Yunnan Yongde County Dedanghe 3rd Cascade is a hydroelectric power plant located in Yunnan Province, China. With a capacity of 17 MW, it is a small-scale facility within China's vast hydropower sector, which is the largest in the world. The plant operates as part of the Dedanghe river cascade, utilizing the region's mountainous terrain and water resources for clean electricity generation. The plant uses hydroelectric technology, converting the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity. As a run-of-river or reservoir-based facility, it benefits from Yunnan's abundant water resources. China's hydropower plants are regulated under national environmental standards, including the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law and the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which mandate emission controls and ecological flow requirements. This facility supports local energy needs and contributes to China's renewable energy targets. By generating electricity without direct fuel combustion, it avoids CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions typical of fossil fuel plants. Its operation aligns with China's goals to increase non-fossil fuel energy share and reduce carbon intensity.
Environmental context
The plant is located in Yunnan, a province known for its rich biodiversity and mountainous landscapes. Hydropower projects in this region must manage ecological impacts such as altered river flows and habitat fragmentation. The 17 MW capacity suggests a relatively small footprint, but cumulative effects of cascade developments require careful environmental management. The plant's operation avoids air emissions but may affect local aquatic ecosystems through flow regulation.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located in Yunnan Province, China, near coordinates 23.9833° N, 99.2403° E.
The plant has a capacity of 17 megawatts (MW), classifying it as a small hydroelectric facility.
It is a hydroelectric power plant, using water flow to generate electricity.
Hydroelectric plants in China must comply with the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law and the Environmental Impact Assessment Law, which require ecological flow management and mitigation of habitat impacts.
As a renewable energy source, it supports China's targets to increase non-fossil fuel energy share and reduce carbon emissions.