Preparations for constructing Guoduo Hydropower Station begin

15:53, November 30, 2009

A ceremony was held Nov. 28 to mark the preparations for construction of the Guoduo Hydropower Station in Chamdo Prefecture, eastern Tibet, according to Tibet Daily.

The station, the largest of its kind on the upper reaches of southwest China's Lantsang River, has a total installed generating capacity of 165,000 kilowatts and requires a total investment of three billion yuan(439 million U.S. dollars).

"As a major power construction project, the Guoduo Hydropower Station will ease power shortages in Chamdo Prefecture,"said Pema Tsewang, vice-chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Government, who presented the opening ceremony.

"The station will also ensure the power usage for the Yulong Copper Mine and play a significant role in speeding up Chamdo's social and economic development," Pema Tsewang added.

Pema Tsewang urged construction workers to work hard to build the Guoduo Hydropower Station into a landmark project and protect the ecological environment around the station.

The vice chairman also called for cooperation from the governments at all levels and related departments in support of the constrution project. He said that local farmers and herdsmen can take part in building the hydropower station so as to benefit from it.

The staion is set to go into operation in 2014. Upon completion, the station will upgrade Chamdo's industrial structure and turn its advantages in resources into economic superiority, according to Tibet Daily.

Source: Xinhuanet