Three Gorges Probe

November 22, 2000

(1) Provinces forced to buy electricity from Three Gorges dam
(2) World Bank-financed Xiaolangdi dam fails to find customers

(1) Provinces forced to buy electricity from Three Gorges dam
Nov. 7, 2000 – China’s provincial and city authorities have been instructed to buy electricity from the Three Gorges dam project, according to an official from China’s State Economic and Trade Commission. As predicted in Probe International’s 1999 report, China’s Three Gorges dam faces financial death spiral, the central government is attempting to secure a market for Three Gorges by forcing consumers to buy its power, and shutting out its competitors. The government has forbidden power distribution authorities to buy electricity from thermal plants in areas served by Three Gorges dam, and has either already closed or scheduled these plants for termination.

Related news stories:
Gorge yourselves: Provinces required to buy electricity from Three Gorges
China’s Three Gorges dam faces financial death spiral

(2) World Bank-financed Xiaolangdi dam fails to find customers
Oct. 19, 2000 – China’s US$4-billion dam across the Yellow River in Henan province has been unable to find customers for its electricity, according to its vice-general manager, Wang Xianwu. The massive Xiaolangdi project, backed with US$1-billion in loans from the World Bank, also failed to prevent serious flooding along the Yellow River’s middle and lower reaches this summer.

For related stories see:
Why Ertan cannot sell its power, People’s Daily
China’s Three Gorges dam faces financial death spiral, Three Gorges Probe

Three Gorges Probe welcomes submissions. However, it is not a forum for political debate. Rather, Three Gorges Probe is dedicated to covering the scientific, technical, economic, social, and environmental ramifications of completing the Three Gorges Project, as well as the alternatives to the dam.

Publisher: Patricia Adams
Executive Editor: Mu Lan
Assistant Editor: Lisa Peryman
ISSN 1481-0913