Binggou Hydropower Station

The Binggou Hydropower Station is a run-off hydropower station located in the Qilian Mountains, China, with a total installed capacity of 21 MW and an annual generating capacity of about 120 000 MWh.
FACTS
Location

Gansu Province, China

Technology

Hydro

Attributes

New plant (< 5 years)

Producing electricity since

2021

Developer/owner

Jiuquan City Sanyuan Hydropower Development Co,. Ltd

Estimated annual generation

120 000 MWh

Total capacity

21 MW

Binggou Hydropower Station is located on the northern peak of the western end of the Qilian Mountains, in the experimental area of Qilian Mountain National Nature Reserve. In the surrounding area, the mountain is steep, with an altitude difference of more than 500m, and the vegetation coverage rate is 5-10%. The area in which the project is located is devoid of farmland, woodland, grassland, homes, or wildlife, and the vegetation all around is sparse. The area of the reservoir is small. The reservoir also has little influence on the humidity and temperature in the surrounding air, so it has little impact on the local climate and natural vegetation on either side.

Binggou and its surroundings: positive impacts

The Binggou hydropower plants has many positive impacts on the surrounding area:

  1. Protecting animal and plant life in the area – exercising caution and consideration in the project area in order not to harm flora and fauna, and restoring the landscapes in the project area. There are measures in place for a water and soil protection scheme, such that the soil and water loss control rate is over 95%.
  2. Enhancing public awareness of ecological protection within the local community.
  3. Controlling soil erosion.
  4. During the construction of roads and special facilities, there are water conservation measures in place. Once the construction work on the temporary work is complete, vegetation is restored in the area.

 

The safety evaluation for Binggou hydropower plant concluded in 2021 that the project conforms to the relevant national laws and regulations.

Environment around Binggou hydrpower plant

The Lai River is an inland river, in which one counts 6 indigenous species of fish – 1 carnivorous and 5 omnivorous, that feed on aquatic invertebrates, zooplankton, and phytoplankton. With the completion of the reservoirs, there is a larger surface of water, slowing down water flow and raising the water temperature. This is favorable to the growth of plants and the reproduction of benthic animals – a positive for the fish living in the Lai river.

In addition, due to the elevated water level in the reservoir area and the increased water surface, minor changes in the surrounding temperature and humidity are conducive to the growth of plants in the small area above the water surface in the reservoir area. According to the field investigation, some moisture-resistant and fast-growing plants have grown around the reservoir of Jingtieshan Hydropower Station, mainly polygonum, positaceae, poaceae, and sedaceae.

The prevention and control of soil and water loss of Binggou Hydropower Station project conforms to the standards for the prevention and control of soil and water loss of construction projects. On the whole, the project has implemented various soil and water conservation measures in the design of the approved soil and water conservation scheme, in accordance with the laws and regulations on soil and water conservation. The construction unit has carried out a comprehensive and systematic control of soil and water loss, completed the prevention and control tasks stipulated in the soil and water conservation plan.

About the developer

Jiuquan City Sanyuan Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. was established 21 years ago, around the core belief that “Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”. Jiuquan City Sanyuan Hydropower has provided solutions to the lack of electricity, telephone or TV. They also display a  strong commitment to general health and safety, and environmental protection.