The first turbine rotor for power generation is installed at the right bank of Baihetan Hydropower Station on Sept 9. [Photo/MY399.COM]
 
The first power-generating turbine rotor at the right bank of Baihetan Hydropower Station – designed and manufactured by Harbin Electrical Machinery Co – was installed on Sept 13. The manufacturer is based in the capital city of China’s northernmost Heilongjiang province.

The turbine rotor has a diameter of 16.5 meters and a height of 3.9m, weighing around 2,000 metric tons.

Officials said that the equipment’s successful installation marked the beginning of a new construction phase for the Baihetan Hydropower Station.

The power-generating facility will be the world’s second-largest after the Three Gorges Dam in terms of total installed capacity when construction is finished.

Once completed, the power station will be home to 16 1,000-mW generators and is expected to generate more than 60 billion kW hours of electricity per year.

Officials said that the project will also offer a range of other benefits, helping to control flooding and the movement of sand, and improving downstream shipping conditions.

Harbin Electrical Machinery Co is a pioneer generator producer founded in 1951. It was chosen to produce eight 1,000-mW generators and accessories for the right bank of Baihetan Hydropower Station.
 
The company has overcome many significant problems during the project’s construction, including product development, design and manufacturing issues. It has successfully manufactured the world's first high-quality seat ring, the first water-guiding mechanism and the first runner to use different length blades.