The Three Gorges Dam is a world-class water conservancy project built by China in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, which is not only the world's largest hydropower station, but also an important project for flood control, shipping and water resources utilization in China. The Three Gorges Dam has been in operation for 20 years, has it recovered more than 250 billion yuan in costs? The benefits of the Three Gorges Dam are not only economic, but also social, environmental and cultural.
From an economic point of view, the main sources of revenue for the Three Gorges Dam are power generation and shipping. According to data from China Three Gorges Corporation, by the end of 2020, the cumulative power generation of the Three Gorges Power Station reached 1.4 trillion kilowatt hours, creating more than 500 billion yuan in electricity revenue. At the same time, the Three Gorges Power Station saves about 300 million tons of standard coal and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by about 800 million tons every year, contributing to the fight against climate change. On the other hand, the Three Gorges Locks can pass 120 million tons of cargo every year, creating more than 10 billion yuan in shipping revenue. The Three Gorges Locks shorten shipping time and costs in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River and improve the competitiveness of the Yangtze River Economic Belt4. On the whole, the economic benefits of the Three Gorges Dam are significant, and the investment cost has basically been recovered.
From a social point of view, the main contribution of the Three Gorges Dam is flood control and resettlement. According to China's Ministry of Water Resources, the Three Gorges Dam has a capacity of 22.15 billion cubic meters of flood control reservoirs, which can effectively reduce the flood risk in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Since 2003, the Three Gorges Dam has successfully coped with many major floods and protected the lives and property of tens of millions of people. Meanwhile, to build the Three Gorges Dam, the Chinese government implemented the largest resettlement project in history, relocating about 1.3 million people. These immigrants have received care and assistance from the government and society, and their living conditions and income levels have improved significantly. On the whole, the social benefits of the Three Gorges Dam are enormous, reflecting the responsibility and responsibility of the Chinese government and people.
From an environmental and cultural point of view, the Three Gorges Dam also has pros and cons. On the one hand, the Three Gorges Dam has had a certain impact on the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, such as siltation, water quality decline, and biodiversity loss. However, these effects are not irreversible, and the Chinese government and scientific institutions have taken a series of measures to mitigate and repair them. On the other hand, the Three Gorges Dam also has a certain loss of cultural heritage on the Yangtze River, such as some monuments and scenery being submerged or altered. However, these losses are not irreparable, and the Chinese government and cultural authorities have taken a series of measures to protect and pass on these cultural heritages. Taken together, the environmental and cultural benefits of the Three Gorges Dam are balanced, reflecting the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese people.
The future of the Three Gorges Dam is bright and full of challenges. With China's economic and social development and the improvement of people's living standards, the Three Gorges Dam needs to adapt to new needs and expectations, and continuously improve its operational efficiency and service quality. At the same time, the Three Gorges Dam also faces new risks and pressures, such as climate change, geological disasters, ecological protection, etc., and needs to strengthen scientific and technological innovation and risk prevention to ensure the safety and stability of the project. In addition, the Three Gorges Dam should actively participate in international cooperation and exchanges, share China's experience and wisdom, and make greater contributions to global water conservancy and sustainable development. The Three Gorges Dam is a never-ending project that requires our continued attention and support to realize a better future and dreams.
The Three Gorges Dam is a great project that has had a profound impact on China's economy, society, environment and culture. The Three Gorges Dam is the pride of the Chinese people and a miracle for the people of the world. The construction and operation of the Three Gorges Dam is the crystallization of the wisdom and courage of the Chinese people, and is also the result of cooperation and exchanges between China and the world. The design and construction of the Three Gorges Dam draws on international advanced technology and experience, and has also created many of the world's best and most innovative moves. Its benefits and impact not only benefit China, but also contribute to global sustainable development and green transformation. This is a project full of challenges and opportunities, which requires us to constantly summarize and improve to achieve a higher level of development and win-win situation. The Three Gorges Dam is a project of historical significance and epochal value, which demonstrates the spirit and strength of the Chinese people, and also reflects the friendship and responsibility between China and the world.