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The Chinese company Harbin Electric has developed a unique hydro turbine for a power station in Tibet. This unit, weighing 88 tons and with a diameter exceeding 6 meters, was developed over four years and is set to become the world's most powerful single unit, capable of generating up to 500 MW of energy. Two such units will be installed at the station.

The turbine harnesses water falling from a height of nearly 700 meters, which strikes 21 blades with immense force. Through precise calculations and the use of exceptionally durable materials, the unit achieves an efficiency of 92.6%. This allows for the generation of an additional 4 billion kWh of energy annually, equivalent to a reduction of 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

This project is part of China's extensive program for developing clean energy. The turbine is constructed entirely from domestically sourced components. The station's commissioning is slated for 2028.

China is actively advancing pumped-hydro energy storage systems. The nation aims to achieve 1200 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and to reach full carbon neutrality by 2060, utilizing such hydropower plants to stabilize the grid.

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Photo: Harbin Electric/Recraft