The Three Gorges Hydroelectric Power Station will be China's largest hydroelectric power plant.

Its generating capacity will be 18.2 million kilowatts, with a yearly power output of 84.7 billion kwh, equivalent to burning 50 million tons of coal or 25 million tons of crude oil.

When compared to coal-burning facilities of a similar size, the Three Gorges Plant can cut a large amount of carbon dioxide, one to two million tons of sulphuric dioxide, 10,000 tons of carbon monoxide, and 150,000 tons of dust.

Project loans will be fully prepaid by the power generated. In the year 2003, 11 years of the formal launching of the Three Gorges Project, the first generations are scheduled for use. Four generators with a combined capacity of 2.8 million kw will be operational every year after.

Upon completion in the year 2009, the project will be able to generate a total of 293 billion kwh during the period of construction. Therefore, the project can repay all loans and interests two to three years after going into full operation.

The hydroelectric power generated is to be used in eastern and central China regions and the eastern part of southwest China's Sichuan province. If one figures that every kwh can result in six yuan in output value, the project may generate 520 billion yuan in industrial output value every year and create additional millions of job opportunities.