Once the generators of the Three Gorges Dam are in place and go online on 2009, it will be considered the world’s biggest power plant. It is expected to generate 18.2 GW or about 2% of China’s total power consumption. China’s booming economy needs to be matched by power; preferably alternative forms of energy that do not pollute air.

Extra precautions have been taken in the engineering and fault tolerance of the dam. Its other purpose is to engage in flood control. Regulation of the flow of water is made possible because of the massive 22 cubic kilometers reservoir. When fully flooded, the dam’s reservoir will be 200 meters deep.