The No 2 generating unit in the Three Gorges Power Project started a 72-hour trial operation Tuesday morning. It is the project's first generator to generate power.

The No. 2 generating unit with a capacity of 700,000 kw was connected to the central China power grid. It is expected to provide 38.88 million kwh of electricity in 72 hours of trial operation to the power grid.

After the 72-hour trial operation, the generator will undergo a one-month period of examination before it is put into commercial use in early August.

Four 700,000-kw generators are scheduled to be operational this year at the Three Gorges.

Altogether 26 such power generators will be installed at the Three Gorges Power Project when it is completed in 2009. The world's largest power project is expected to generate 84.7 billion kwh of electricity a year.

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