PARKER HANNIFIN OF THE UK IS delivering over US$1M in hydraulics, condition monitoring units, hoses and connectors for the construction phase of the Three Gorges dam on the Yangtze river in China.
The US$25B dam, scheduled for completion in 2009, will stand over 18m high and will house 26 of the world's largest hydro power turbines, each one producing 700,000kW of electricity for supply to Central China, Eastern China and the Sichuan Province. By 2003, the first few generators will be up and running, and permanent ship locks powered by Parker will be in use. The reservoir will fill up to 175m above the river's surface and stretch about 643.6km when all 26 generators are running.
Parker is also supplying complete drive and control systems for dredging vessels working on the excavation of the Yangtze river to ensure safe navigation. In the future, Parker will supply hydraulics and instrumentation for the lock controls, and replacement products such as hoses, pumps and cylinders.
