China's largest dam is as strong as 15 nuclear reactors

The last generator on a total of 32 generators of the Three Gorges Dam was officially put into operation today, making Tam Hiep the largest hydroelectric project in the world.

Generator No. 32 has just been put into operation this morning in the Three Gorges Dam

This massive, controversial dam was built on the Yangtze River, part of Hubei Province. It is designed to reduce the risk of flooding during the rainy season, as well as to store and regulate water during the dry season.

After major storms, every second, about 70,000 cubic meters of water from the Yangtze River will massively enter the dam's water storage area. The dam will retain at least 26,000 cubic meters of water per second and discharge 43,000 cubic meters of water.

After the big storm at the beginning of the week, each time there were 70,000m
the Yangtze River water flowed into the Three Gorges Dam.

The construction of the dam has been met with fierce criticism from global hydropower experts as well as residents of neighboring areas. The cost of dam construction is up to 22.5 billion USD with a total capacity of 22.5 million kilowatt, equivalent to 15 nuclear reactors, Global Times said.

The dam will retain at least 25,000 cubic meters of water and discharge the remaining 43,000 cubic meters through 7 outlets.

Since 2003, when the dam officially came into operation, Beijing has always honored this as a symbol of Chinese construction power. However, in May last year, they admitted that the Three Gorges Dam was giving rise to many problems. Previously, scientists had warned that the heavy weight of the water storage area could alter dangerous geology of central China, poisoning water sources and destroying the environment.