Southwest China's Yebatan Hydropower Station has commenced reservoir filling, marking a critical milestone in its journey toward operational status. The project, a cornerstone of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), represents one of the nation's most ambitious clean-energy initiatives at high altitudes.
Located on the Jinsha River at the Sichuan-Xizang border, the 2,240 MW facility features a record-breaking 217-meter concrete arch dam. Engineers achieved a world-first in May by extracting a 38.1-meter concrete core sample during quality inspections – a testament to the project's engineering precision.
'This two-stage filling process will enable our first generating units to start operations by year-end,' said Du Xiaofan of Huadian Jinsha River Upstream Hydropower Development Co. The reservoir will reach its 2,889-meter normal pool level by October 2025, enhancing coordination with other hydropower stations along the upper Jinsha River.
When fully operational in 2026, the station will generate 10.2 billion kWh annually – enough to replace 4 million tonnes of coal and reduce CO2 emissions by 7.37 million tonnes yearly. Its clean energy will flow through the Jinshan-Hubei ±800 kV UHV DC line, the world's highest-altitude hybrid hydropower-solar transmission project.
This development strengthens China's west-to-east power transfer strategy while supporting regional economic growth through sustainable infrastructure. For global observers of Asia's energy transition, Yebatan exemplifies how technological innovation intersects with environmental priorities in modern infrastructure planning.
