Ertan Dam, Hydroelectric power station on Yalong River, Sichuan Province, China.
The Ertan Dam is an arch dam on the Yalong River that spans a considerable distance and holds back a massive water reservoir. The facility uses this water to generate electricity through underground generators that feed power to the region.
Construction started in the early 1990s and was completed a few years later, involving extensive blasting and excavation to prepare the site. This was an important step toward modernizing electricity supply in central China.
The construction brought together specialists from around the world, representing a turning point for China in international collaboration on major infrastructure projects. This partnership demonstrated how local engineers worked with foreign experts to create a modern energy facility.
The location is best reached by planning travel time for the mountainous terrain of Sichuan and seeking local information about access. Since it is an active facility, visitors should check which areas are accessible to the public.
The powerhouse of this facility ranks among Asia's largest underground power stations and was built deep within the rock. This hidden structure shows how impressive engineering can be when it operates out of sight.
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