The year 2003 will mark the start of three major functions of the gigantic Three Gorges project -- water storage, navigation and power generation.

Chi Wenjiang, spokesman of the State Council Three Gorges Project Construction Committee Executive Office, said on Wednesday that the start of operation in August of two power generating units, each with a capacity of 700,000 kilowatts, would mark the completion of the second phase and start of the third phase for the project.

From 2004 to the end of 2009, the project team will step up construction of the dam and power station workshops.

Most of the hydropower generating units and related high-voltage electrical apparatus would also be installed in this period, Chi said.

Chi said that over 400,000 people in the reservoir areas were awaiting relocation in the next six years, with an annual population movement equaling that of previous years.

Relocation of local farmers, reconstruction of cities and towns, as well as restoration of some special facilities and projects above the 135-meter level would demand strenuous work, said Chi.

The third phase of the project would involve further construction of power transmission and transfer facilities, including 3,100-kilometer alternating current lines, 2,000-kilometer direct current lines, as well as expansion in power transformer and inversion capacities, Chi said.

The second phase of relocation work, preparations for water storage and navigation trials through the perpetual ship lock have all passed inspection.

On June 1, 2003, the reservoir will start to store water, which will create a vast lake in the famous Three Gorges area. The ship lock will start trial operation as of June 16.

The Three Gorges Project is the largest hydropower project in the world. So far, the dam wall on the left bank has reached an altitude of 185 meters.

A concrete cofferdam for the third phase of construction has been completed.

According to official statistics, the project team has been building 4,374-kilometer alternating current lines, two direct current lines with a total length of 1,822 kilometers and 15 transformer substations, which will be able to meet the demand of the operation of the first-group power generating units this year.

By 2009 when the whole project is finished, the dam will boast 26 power-generating units with a combined capacity of 18.2 million kilowatts.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2003)