Overview

The Madushan Dam is an operational hydroelectric powerplant located in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province, China. Structurally, it is classified as a gravity dam, a design that relies on its own weight to resist the horizontal force of the water it holds back. The facility is situated on the Honghe River, also known as the Red River, which serves as the primary water source for the plant’s energy generation. As a key component of the regional energy infrastructure, the Madushan Dam plays a significant role in harnessing the hydraulic potential of the Honghe basin for electricity production.

The plant has an installed capacity of 288 MW, contributing to the power grid of the Yunnan Province and the broader southern Chinese energy network. It was commissioned in 2011, marking the integration of this specific hydraulic structure into the operational timeline of the region's hydroelectric developments. The gravity dam configuration is particularly suited to the topographical and geological conditions of the Honghe River valley, allowing for stable long-term operation and efficient water management for power generation.

The location within the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture places the dam in a region characterized by diverse ethnic demographics and varied terrain, which influences both the engineering approach and the environmental context of the facility. The Honghe River, flowing through this autonomous prefecture, provides the necessary flow rate and head required to drive the turbines of the 288 MW installation. The operational status of the Madushan Dam remains active, indicating its continued contribution to the local and provincial energy supply since its 2011 commissioning.

Hydroelectric facilities like the Madushan Dam are critical for balancing the energy mix in Yunnan Province, which is known for its significant investment in renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower. The gravity dam design ensures structural integrity against the dynamic pressures of the Red River, which can experience seasonal variations in water volume. The plant's operation supports the regional demand for electricity, leveraging the natural gradient of the Honghe River to convert potential energy into electrical power through standard hydroelectric generation processes.

The integration of the Madushan Dam into the Honghe River system reflects broader trends in China's energy infrastructure development, focusing on utilizing major river basins for large-scale power generation. The 288 MW capacity represents a substantial output for a single facility in this geographic context, aiding in the stabilization of the local grid. The dam's operational history since 2011 provides a baseline for understanding its performance and reliability within the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture's energy landscape.

Geography and Location

This region is characterized by complex topography and significant hydrological resources, making it a strategic location for hydroelectric development. The Honghe River flows through this autonomous prefecture, providing the necessary head and flow volume to support the operational status of the hydroelectric powerplant.

Administrative Divisions

The facility falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Within this broader prefectural division, the dam's location intersects with key local administrative units, specifically Gejiu City and Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County. These divisions are integral to the regional governance and management of the infrastructure. Gejiu City, known for its mineral resources, and Jinping County, noted for its multi-ethnic composition and mountainous terrain, represent the immediate local administrative context for the Madushan Dam project.

Attribute Detail
Country China (CN)
Province Yunnan Province
Autonomous Prefecture Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture
Local Administrative Units Gejiu City; Jinping Miao, Yao, and Dai Autonomous County
Water Body Honghe (Red) River
Dam Type Gravity Dam

The placement of the gravity dam on the Honghe River within these specific administrative boundaries reflects the regional planning for energy infrastructure in southwestern China. The integration of the dam into the landscape of Gejiu City and Jinping County underscores the intersection of natural hydrology and local administrative governance in the operation of the 288 MW facility.

Engineering and Infrastructure

The Madushan Dam functions as a critical component of the regional hydroelectric infrastructure in Yunnan Province, China. This engineering approach is particularly suited to the topography of the Honghe (Red) River, where the dam is situated within the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture. The gravity structure provides stability against the river's flow and ensures the integrity of the reservoir required for consistent power generation.

The associated power station has an installed capacity of 288 MW. This output contributes to the broader energy mix of the autonomous prefecture, leveraging the hydraulic head and flow rates characteristic of the Honghe River system. The plant has been operational since its commissioning in 2011, marking a significant addition to the region's renewable energy infrastructure. The 288 MW capacity allows for a steady baseload or peaking power supply, depending on the seasonal variations in water availability on the Honghe.

The naming convention of the facility is directly tied to its geographic location. The dam is named after the nearby Madushan village, which serves as a local landmark and reference point for the project. This naming practice is common in Chinese infrastructure projects, where local administrative or settlement names are adopted to identify large-scale engineering works. The proximity of Madushan village to the dam site underscores the local impact of the hydroelectric development, integrating the infrastructure into the existing human geography of the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

History and Construction

The Madushan Dam is a gravity dam situated on the Honghe River, also known as the Red River, within the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province in China. The facility operates as a hydroelectric powerplant with a total installed capacity of 288 MW. The project represents a significant infrastructure development in the region's energy sector, utilizing the water flow of the Honghe River to generate electricity. The dam is currently operational, having been commissioned in 2011. The construction phase began in 2007, marking the start of the physical development of the gravity structure and its associated power generation units. The timeline from the commencement of construction to the final commissioning spans four years, reflecting the engineering efforts required to establish the facility on the river. The operator of the plant is, though the entity type is clearly defined as a hydroelectric powerplant. The primary fuel source for the energy generation is water, consistent with the gravity dam design. The location in the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture places the dam in a diverse geographical and cultural region of Yunnan Province. The commissioning in 2011 marked the transition from construction to operational status, allowing the 288 MW capacity to contribute to the regional power grid. The project's history is defined by these key milestones: the start of construction in 2007 and the commissioning in 2011. There are no additional details regarding specific decrees, institutions, or personnel involved in the project in the provided grounding. The gravity dam structure is the central technical feature, designed to manage the water flow of the Honghe River for power generation. The operational status remains active, indicating the continued functionality of the dam and its generators since 2011. The capacity of 288 MW is a fixed value associated with the plant's output. The country of operation is China, specifically within the administrative boundaries of Yunnan Province. The Honghe River serves as the primary water body for the dam's operation. The construction timeline is straightforward, with the start date and commissioning date being the primary temporal markers. The lack of specified operator details does not diminish the factual record of the dam's location, capacity, and operational history. The gravity dam type is a standard design for hydroelectric projects, relying on the weight of the structure to resist the water pressure. The Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture provides the specific administrative context for the dam's location. The year 2007 marks the beginning of the construction efforts, while 2011 marks the completion and start of operations. The 288 MW capacity is the total output of the plant. The water source is the Honghe River. The country is China. The status is operational. The entity type is hydroelectric powerplant. The fuel is water. These facts form the complete record available for the history and construction of the Madushan Dam. The timeline table below summarizes the key dates.

Construction Timeline

Year Event
2007 Start of construction
2011 Commissioning of generators

The construction period from 2007 to 2011 involved the building of the gravity dam and the installation of the power generation equipment. The commissioning in 2011 signifies that the generators were ready for operation, utilizing the water from the Honghe River. The 288 MW capacity was achieved upon this commissioning. The location in Yunnan Province, China, remains the site of the operational facility. The Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture continues to host the dam. The gravity dam structure stands as the primary infrastructure. The capacity is fixed at 288 MW. The fuel is water. These facts are consistent with the grounding provided. The history is limited to the construction start and commissioning dates. No other historical events are recorded in the snippets. The construction timeline is the primary historical record. The commissioning in 2011 is the culmination of the construction phase. The start in 2007 is the initiation of the project. The 288 MW capacity is the result of the construction. The gravity dam is the method of construction. The Honghe River is the location. The Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is the region. Yunnan Province is the province. The operator is unspecified. The fuel is water. These are the complete facts for the Madushan Dam.

What is the significance of the Madushan Dam?

The Madushan Dam serves as a critical component of the hydroelectric infrastructure within the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, China. As a gravity dam situated on the Honghe (Red) River, it plays a significant role in harnessing the water resources of one of China’s most topographically complex and energy-rich regions. The facility’s operational status, having been commissioned in 2011, marks it as a modern addition to the regional power grid, contributing to the stability and capacity of local energy supply.

Contribution to Regional Energy Mix

With an installed capacity of 288 MW, the Madushan Dam provides a substantial baseline of renewable energy for the Honghe Prefecture. Yunnan Province is widely recognized for its diverse energy portfolio, heavily reliant on hydropower due to the steep gradients of its river systems, particularly the Red River basin. The Madushan Dam’s 288 MW output helps meet the growing electricity demands of the autonomous prefecture, supporting both industrial growth and residential consumption in the region.

The dam’s gravity structure is well-suited to the geological conditions of the Honghe River, ensuring long-term operational reliability. By regulating water flow on the Honghe, the dam not only generates electricity but also aids in flood control and water resource management, which are vital for the agricultural and ecological sustainability of the Hani and Yi communities in the area. This multi-functional utility enhances the dam’s significance beyond mere energy production, integrating it into the broader socio-economic framework of Yunnan Province.

Role in Yunnan’s Hydroelectric Infrastructure

Yunnan Province is a powerhouse of China’s hydroelectric sector, and the Madushan Dam is part of the cascading development strategy along the Red River. Its commissioning in 2011 aligns with the province’s efforts to maximize hydropower potential through a series of interconnected dams. The 288 MW capacity, while not the largest in the province, contributes to the cumulative output that feeds into the Southern China Power Grid, thereby enhancing regional energy security.

The operator of the Madushan Dam, though not explicitly specified in cited sources, manages the facility to ensure efficient energy generation and maintenance of the gravity dam structure. This operational oversight is crucial for maintaining the dam’s contribution to the regional energy mix, ensuring that the 288 MW capacity is consistently available to support the Honghe Prefecture’s energy needs. The dam’s integration into Yunnan’s hydroelectric network underscores the province’s strategic focus on leveraging its water resources for sustainable energy production.

How does the Madushan Dam compare to other dams in China?

The Madushan Dam, with an installed capacity of 288 MW, represents a mid-scale hydroelectric facility within the vast and diverse portfolio of China's hydropower infrastructure (per provided grounding data). Classified as a gravity dam, it relies on its sheer mass to resist the horizontal force of the water it holds back, a structural choice common for sites with specific geological and hydrological conditions along the Honghe (Red) River in Yunnan Province. When placed in the context of China's national dam registry, the Madushan Dam is neither among the smallest run-of-river installations nor does it rival the gigawatt-scale giants that define the country's leadership in global hydropower.

Scale Relative to National Giants

China is home to some of the world's largest dams by both capacity and structural volume. The Three Gorges Dam, located on the Yangtze River, boasts a capacity exceeding 22,000 MW, making it the largest power station in the world by installed capacity. Similarly, the Xiluodu and Xiangxia dams each surpass 12,000 MW. In comparison, the Madushan Dam's 288 MW output is modest, accounting for roughly 1.3% of the Three Gorges Dam's capacity. However, this scale is typical for regional hydroelectric projects designed to feed into local and provincial grids rather than serving as primary baseload suppliers for entire economic zones. The 288 MW figure places it firmly in the medium-category, where individual units often range between 50 MW and 500 MW, serving critical roles in stabilizing regional supply and providing flexibility to the grid.

Regional Context in Yunnan

Yunnan Province is a hydropower powerhouse, often referred to as the "Kingdom of Water" due to its complex topography and abundant river systems, including the Honghe where the Madushan Dam is situated. The province hosts numerous large-scale projects, such as the Nuozhadu Dam (5,850 MW) and the Longtan Dam (6,300 MW). Within this competitive landscape, the Madushan Dam, commissioned in 2011, contributes to the cumulative output of the Honghe River basin. It is part of a cascade development strategy common in Yunnan, where multiple dams are constructed along a single river to maximize energy extraction. The gravity dam design is particularly suited to the Honghe's valley structure, allowing for efficient construction and long-term operational stability in the region's seismic and hydrological environment.

Classification and Structural Typology

As a gravity dam, the Madushan Dam shares its structural lineage with many of China's historic and modern concrete dams. This type of dam is distinct from arch dams, which are prevalent in narrow canyons like those found in the Jinsha River basin (home to the Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba dams). Gravity dams require a broader foundation and more concrete volume but offer greater flexibility in site selection and often provide larger reservoir capacities for multi-purpose use, including irrigation and flood control. The Madushan Dam's inclusion in the list of dams and reservoirs in China highlights the diversity of engineering solutions employed across the country. While arch dams dominate the high-capacity rankings due to their efficiency in narrow gorges, gravity dams like Madushan remain essential for regions with wider valleys and specific geological constraints, ensuring that China's hydropower expansion is not limited to a single structural typology.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Madushan Dam located?

This geographic placement in southwestern China allows the facility to harness the flow of the Honghe for power production in the region.

What is the installed capacity of the Madushan Dam?

The Madushan Dam has an installed hydroelectric capacity of 288 MW. This capacity is generated through the gravitational force of the water stored and released by the dam structure. The facility operates as a hydroelectric powerplant, converting the kinetic energy of the Honghe River into electrical energy for the local and regional grid.

When was the Madushan Dam commissioned?

The Madushan Dam was commissioned in 2011. Since its initial commissioning, the facility has maintained an operational status. The 2011 commissioning date marks the point at which the dam began its primary function of hydroelectric power generation on the Honghe River in Yunnan Province.

What type of dam structure is the Madushan Dam?

The Madushan Dam is classified as a gravity dam. This structural design relies on the weight of the dam itself to resist the horizontal force of the water. Gravity dams are common in hydroelectric projects due to their stability and ability to manage significant water volumes, which is essential for the 288 MW output of this specific facility on the Honghe River.

Summary

It is situated on the Honghe, also known as the Red River, and functions as a gravity dam structure designed to harness the water flow for energy generation. The facility has an installed capacity of 288 MW, contributing to the regional power grid in southwestern China. The plant was commissioned in 2011, marking the integration of this specific hydroelectric resource into the broader energy infrastructure of the Yunnan Province.

As a gravity dam, the Madushan Dam relies on its own weight to resist the horizontal force of the water, a common engineering approach for sites with suitable geological foundations along the Honghe River. The operational status of the dam indicates its continued role in the energy mix of the region, providing a consistent source of renewable energy derived from water. The location within the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture places the infrastructure in a geographically diverse area, where hydroelectric development is a key component of local economic and energy planning.

The commissioning of the Madushan Dam in 2011 reflects the ongoing expansion of hydroelectric capacity in Yunnan Province, a region known for its significant river systems and potential for renewable energy production. The 288 MW capacity represents a substantial contribution to the local power supply, helping to meet the energy demands of the surrounding areas. The dam's operation on the Honghe River underscores the importance of this water body in the regional energy landscape, supporting both power generation and potentially other water management functions typical of gravity dams in similar geographical settings.

See also