3 Gorges Dam

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far outweigh the costs. The principal advantage of the project is to generate power to keep pace with China's economic growth. It is estimated that China's power output must rise by 8 percent annually to keep pace with 6 percent annual increase in gross national product. In practical term, that means the nation's total 1990 power capacity of 130 million kilowatts must grow to 580 million by the year 2015.

Chinese officials note that the dam will relieve the danger of flooding. The Chang Jing River Valley has been chronically threatened by flooding. For example, in 1954, a flood killed 30.000 people and left one million homeless. In addition, navigation capacities on the river from Yichang to Chongging will be improved, thus, 10.000 tons fleets can make direct trips.

Another advantage of the dam is to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide; generating electricity equal to about 40 million tons of coal. China's growing coal consumption poses a huge ...

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