CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
The Shuangjiangkou Hydropower Project, located in Sichuan, China, is nearing its final stages, positioning itself to become the tallest dam in the world. With a towering height of 315 meters, the dam boasts a massive storage capacity of 110 million cubic meters and aims to generate approximately 2,000 megawatts of renewable electricity annually, enough to power more than three million homes. The first phase of water storage was completed on May 1, 2025, marking a significant milestone in this decade-long engineering effort.
Project Overview
The Shuangjiangkou Dam is situated in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, rising from the upper reaches of the Dadu River, which originates on the Tibetan Plateau and flows towards the Sichuan Basin. The dam's impressive height surpasses the Jinping-I Dam by 10 meters, making it the tallest structure of its kind. The project, which required an investment of approximately 36 billion Yuan (around US$4.9 billion), stands as a testament to China's engineering prowess.
Operational Timeline And Energy Output
The project developer, PowerChina, has announced that the dam's first power-generating unit is expected to come online by the end of 2025. Once fully operational, the facility is projected to generate over 7 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean, renewable energy annually, significantly boosting China’s green energy supply.
Environmental Benefits
The Shuangjiangkou Dam is designed to support China’s broader environmental goals. It is expected to offset the consumption of approximately 2.96 million tonnes of coal each year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 7.18 million tonnes. This aligns with China's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality in the coming decades.
Engineering Challenges
Building a structure of this scale in a high-altitude, seismically active region presented numerous engineering hurdles. Project engineers had to overcome complex geological conditions, manage seismic risks, and prevent water seepage. Advanced technologies like robotics, 5G systems, and real-time data monitoring were utilized to address these challenges. Robotic rollers were deployed to compact the concrete layers, while drones provided ongoing surveillance to monitor environmental impacts.
China’s Global Leadership In Dam Construction
China remains the world leader in dam construction, having built over 22,000 dams taller than 15 meters since the 1950s, accounting for nearly half of all such structures globally. Many of these dams are concentrated in southwestern China, where steep mountain rivers offer ideal sites for hydropower projects.
International Concerns And Water Security
China's aggressive dam-building strategy has drawn attention from neighboring countries, including India and Bangladesh, which rely on the same transboundary rivers. The proposed construction of the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River has sparked concerns about potential downstream impacts. However, Chinese officials maintain that these projects are carefully managed to avoid significant disruption to water flow in neighboring regions.
Welcome to Notopedia.com, your free learning platform that caters to the diverse needs of students and aspirants across a spectrum of entrance exams and educational endeavors. Whether you're preparing for highly anticipated exams like CAT, NEET, JEE Main, or bank job vacancies, our platform offers a wealth of resources to guide you towards success. Stay up-to-date with the latest exam dates, announcements, and results for various government recruitment exams, including SSC CGL, CHSL, NDA, and UPSC. Explore comprehensive study materials, sample papers, and exam patterns to hone your skills and boost your confidence. From important dates like CBSE Class 10 and 12 date sheets to exam-specific information like JEE Main application form date, we cover it all. Notopedia.com is your go-to source for everything from admissions and admit cards to scholarships and college information. Whether you're aiming for a career in defense, government, banking, or higher education, our free learning platform equips you with the knowledge and resources you need to excel. Join us in your educational journey and unlock a world of opportunities, guidance, and comprehensive support.
For more Updates and Information - Visit Notopedia's Bulletin Board
For Latest Sarkari Jobs - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Jobs Section
For access to more than 20,000 Colleges - Visit Notopedia's College Section
For School Studies and Exams Preparation across 14 Boards - Visit Notopedia's School Section
For Comprehensive Preparation of Sarkari Job Exams - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Exams Section
