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As part of the hydroelectric installation of the Three Gorges on the Yangtze river in China, the Alstom group recorded a major order for the supply of8 Francis turbines out of the 14 to be installed in the left bank power station. This collosal project will include 26 Francis turbines of 710 MW, a spillway designed for a maximum flow of 116 000 m3/s, a shiplock of 5 steps with a capacity of 10 000 tons and a shiplift of 3000 tons. The concrete gravity dam will be 23 km long.
As oriented by the Specifications, and due to their exceptional size (runner diameter: 9800 mm), the design of these units relies upon well-proofed solutions such as those already experienced on the Itaipu south American large scale hydro project, in which Alstom already contributed 20 years ago. The numers (450 tons each, external diameter 10 600 mm) will be fabricated by welding of separate elements made of martensitic stainless steel. Most of the components have to he delivered in several parts and reassembled at site by welding or bolting.
The left bank power station is scheduled to be operational in 2006.