The second power generator of China's Three Gorges Project, being built on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, was formally connected to the power grids Wednesday morning after a 72-hour test run.

With the addition of the No. 5 generator on the northern bank of the Yangtze, by 10 a.m. Wednesday, the Three Gorges Project had generated 210 million kw/hours of electricity.

The new generator, built by a consortium comprised of Alstom of France and ABB of Switzerland and administered by the Three Gorges Hydropower Plant, has a generating capacity of 700,000 kw. It will be put into commercial operation mid-August after another 30 days of test run.

The No. 2 unit, built by a consortium comprised of Hewitt, Siemens and General Electric, was formally linked to the power grids on July 10, becoming the Three Gorges Project's first generator to begin operation.

A spokesperson for the Three Gorges Hydropower Plant said that four generators, and possibly six if everything went well, would begin commercial operation this year.

Launched in 1993 and expected to be completed in 2009, the Three Gorges Project will be installed with 26 generators, each with a generating capacity of 700,000 kw. Out of the total, 14 will be built on the northern bank of the river.

The project will begin to pay off later this year, playing an important role in flood control, power generation, navigation, water diversion and environmental protection, said an official from the China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation. Enditem

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