Editing Three Gorges Dam (section)

=== Output milestones ===
{| class="wikitable floatleft" style="text-align:right;"
|+ Annual production of electricity
|-
! Year
! Number of<br />installed units
! TWh
! Reference
|-
| 2003
| 6
| 8.607 ||
|-
| 2004
| 11
| 39.155 ||
|-
| 2005
| 14
| 49.090 ||
|-
| 2006
| 14
| 49.250 ||
|-
| 2007
| 21
| 61.600 ||
|-
| 2008
| 26
| 80.812 ||<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cepn.sp.com.cn/bwtj/200901/t20090109_268374.htm | language=zh | script-title=zh:中国电力新闻网 – 电力行业的门户网站 | publisher=Cepn.sp.com.cn | access-date=August 1, 2009 }}{{dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
| 2009
| 26
| 79.470 ||<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.chinaequip.gov.cn/2010-01/08/c_13130850.htm | language=zh | script-title=zh:国家重大技术装备 | publisher=Chinaequip.gov.cn | date=January 8, 2010 | access-date=August 20, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429081818/http://www.chinaequip.gov.cn/2010-01/08/c_13130850.htm | archive-date=April 29, 2010 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2010
| 26
| 84.370 ||<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/xwzx/news.php?mnewsid=45908 | language=zh | script-title=zh:峡 – 葛洲坝梯级电站全年发电1006.1亿千瓦时 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901062618/http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/xwzx/news.php?mnewsid=45908 | archive-date=September 1, 2011 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| 29
| 78.290 ||<ref>{{cite web | access-date=January 12, 2012 | archive-date=October 23, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023061713/http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/01/07/1461s675113.htm | url=http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/01/07/1461s675113.htm | title=Three Gorges Project Generates 78.29 Bln Kwh of Electricity in 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2012
| 32
|98.100||<ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite web | access-date=January 19, 2013 | archive-date=January 20, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120060226/http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2013-01/14/content_2311905.htm | url=http://www.gov.cn/gzdt/2013-01/14/content_2311905.htm | language=zh | script-title=zh:2012年三峡工程建设与运行管理成效十分显著 | url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2013
| 32
|83.270 ||<ref>{{cite web | access-date=January 13, 2014 | archive-date=January 13, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113154112/http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2014/01-08/5713938.shtml | url=http://www.chinanews.com/gn/2014/01-08/5713938.shtml | language=zh | script-title=zh:三峡工程2013年建设运行情况良好 发挥综合效益 | url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2014
| 32
|98.800 ||<ref>{{cite web | access-date=January 15, 2017 | archive-date=March 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180056/http://news.yahoo.com/chinas-three-gorges-dam-breaks-world-hydropower-record-004111862.html | url=https://news.yahoo.com/chinas-three-gorges-dam-breaks-world-hydropower-record-004111862.html | title=China's Three Gorges dam 'breaks world hydropower record' | url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| 2015
| 32
|87.000 ||<ref>{{cite web | archive-date=January 16, 2016 | url=https://www.itaipu.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa/noticia/itaipu-bate-tres-gargantas-e-reassume-lideranca-em-producao | language=pt |title=Itaipu bate Três Gargantas e reassume liderança em produção |trans-title=Itaipu overtakes Three Gorges and resumes the lead in production | url-status=live | work=itaipu.gov.br | access-date=January 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116032200/https://www.itaipu.gov.br/sala-de-imprensa/noticia/itaipu-bate-tres-gargantas-e-reassume-lideranca-em-producao}}</ref>
|-
| 2016
| 32
|93.500 || <ref>{{cite news | archive-date=March 1, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301115027/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-03/01/content_28396395.htm | url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2017-03/01/content_28396395.htm | title=Three Gorges Project reaches 1 trillion kWh milestone | work=[[China Daily]] | date=March 1, 2017 | access-date=May 20, 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ccf;"
|-
| 2017
| 32
|97.600 || <ref>{{cite news | archive-date=March 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303050307/https://gbtimes.com/chinas-three-gorges-project-increases-power-output-in-2017 | url=https://gbtimes.com/chinas-three-gorges-project-increases-power-output-in-2017 | title=China's Three Gorges project increases power output in 2017 | work=GBTimes.com | date=January 4, 2017 | access-date=March 2, 2018 | url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|32
|101.600
|<ref name="auto" /><ref>{{cite web | access-date=March 21, 2019 | archive-date=March 21, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321110824/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201812/21/WS5c1c5eeca3107d4c3a002168.html | url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201812/21/WS5c1c5eeca3107d4c3a002168.html | title=Three Gorges Dam generates record amount of power | date=December 21, 2018 | last=Zhang | first=Jie | url-status=live | website=China Daily}}</ref>
|-
| 2019
| 32
|96.880 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://finance.sina.com.cn/china/gncj/2020-01-07/doc-iihnzahk2534157.shtml|title=三峡工程2019年运行情况良好 综合效益显著发挥|date=January 7, 2020|publisher=Sina Corp}}</ref>
|-
| 2020
| 32
|111.800 || <ref name=wr20 />
|-
| 2021
| 32
|103.649 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/newsthree-gorges-crosses-100b-kwh-power-generation-mark-in-2021-9406102|title=Three Gorges crosses 100b kWh power generation mark in 2021|date=March 14, 2022|website=waterpowermagazine.com}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| 32
|78.790 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stcn.com/article/detail/768963.html|title=长江电力：2022年总发电量1855.81亿千瓦时 同比减少10.92%|date=January 5, 2023}}</ref>
|-
| 2023
| 32
|80.271 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.cn/yaowen/liebiao/202401/content_6925452.htm|title=2023年三峡枢纽通过货运量再创新高|date=January 11, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| 2024
| 32
|82.911 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.bjx.com.cn/mnews/20250107/1421436.shtml|title=长江电力披露2024年发电量完成情况|date=January 7, 2025}}</ref>
|- style="background:#ccf;"
|}
[[File:Three gorges dam annual power output SVG.svg|lang=en|thumb|Three Gorges Dam annual power output]]
[[File:Yangtze River flow rate at TGD site.JPG|thumb|Yangtze River flow rate comparing to the dam intake capacity]]
[[File:Three Gorges Dam Installed Units and TWh Over Years.png|thumb|Three Gorges Dam Installed Units and Annual Electricity Production Over Years (2003–2023)]]
By August 16, 2011, the plant had generated 500&nbsp;TWh of electricity.<ref>{{cite web | archive-date=October 2, 2011 | df=mdy-all | url=http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/xwzx/news.php?mnewsid=49662 | language=zh | script-title=zh:三峡电站持续安稳运行累计发电突破5000亿千瓦时 | publisher=ctgpc.com.cn | access-date=August 28, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002055755/http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/xwzx/news.php?mnewsid=49662 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | archive-date=February 8, 2009 | title=The 26 units of the left and right shore power stations of the Three Gorges Project were all put into commercial operation. | publisher=CRI online | date=October 30, 2008 | access-date=December 6, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208223653/http://gb.cri.cn/18824/2008/10/30/2945s2302630.htm | language=zh | script-title=zh:三峡工程左右岸电站26台机组全部投入商业运行 – 中国报道 – 国际在线 | url=http://gb.cri.cn/18824/2008/10/30/2945s2302630.htm | url-status=live}}</ref> In July 2008 it generated 10.3&nbsp;TWh of electricity, its first month over 10&nbsp;TWh.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=China Three Gorges Project Corporation | date=August 15, 2008 | access-date=December 6, 2008 | language=zh | archive-date=December 7, 2008 | script-title=zh:三峡电站月发电量首过百亿千瓦时 | url=http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/sx/news.php?mNewsId=29583 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207081848/http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/sx/news.php?mNewsId=29583 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead}}</ref> On June 30, 2009, after the river flow rate increased to over 24,000&nbsp;m<sup>3</sup>/s, all 28 generators were switched on, producing only 16,100&nbsp;MW because the head available during flood season is insufficient.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hb.xinhuanet.com/zhibo/2009-06/30/content_16958373.htm | language=zh | script-title=zh:三峡电站26台发电机组投产后首次满负荷发电 | trans-title=The 26 generating units of the Three Gorges Power Station are fully loaded for the first time since being put into operation | date=June 30, 2009 | agency=Xinhua News Agency | access-date=August 1, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705164446/http://www.hb.xinhuanet.com/zhibo/2009-06/30/content_16958373.htm | archive-date=July 5, 2009 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead}}</ref> During an August 2009 flood, the plant first reached its maximum output for a short period.<ref name="ctgpc2">{{cite web | url=http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/sx/news.php?mNewsId=35674 | language=zh | script-title=zh:中国长江三峡工程开发总公司 | publisher=Ctgpc.com.cn | access-date=August 16, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908154513/http://www.ctgpc.com.cn/sx/news.php?mNewsId=35674 | archive-date=September 8, 2011 | df=mdy-all | url-status=dead}}</ref>

During the November to May dry season, power output is limited by the river's flow rate, as seen in the diagrams on the right. When there is enough flow, power output is limited by plant generating capacity. The maximum power-output curves were calculated based on the average flow rate at the dam site, assuming the water level is 175&nbsp;m and the plant gross efficiency is 90.15%. The actual power output in 2008 was obtained based on the monthly electricity sent to the grid.<ref>{{cite web | archive-date=January 30, 2009 | df=mdy-all | url=http://www.sgcc.com.cn/dwxx/qydwyxqk/lsyxqk/default.shtml | language=zh | script-title=zh:国家电网公司-主要水电厂来水和运行情况 | publisher=Sgcc.com.cn | access-date=August 1, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130040313/http://www.sgcc.com.cn/dwxx/qydwyxqk/lsyxqk/default.shtml | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | archive-date=July 1, 2009 | df=mdy-all | url=http://www.sgcc.com.cn/dwxx/sgddxx/gdzdxxxt/default.shtml | language=zh | script-title=zh:国家电网公司-国调直调信息系统 | publisher=Sgcc.com.cn | access-date=August 1, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701021527/http://www.sgcc.com.cn/dwxx/sgddxx/gdzdxxxt/default.shtml | url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Three Gorges Dam reached its design-maximum reservoir water level of {{cvt|175|m|0}} for the first time on October 26, 2010, in which the intended annual power-generation capacity of 84.7 TWh was realized.<ref name="Xin2010">{{cite web | df=mdy-all | url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-10/26/c_13575583.htm | title=Water level at Three Gorges Project raised to full capacity | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101029180847/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2010-10/26/c_13575583.htm | url-status=dead | agency=Xinhua News Agency | archive-date=October 29, 2010}}</ref> It has a combined generating capacity of 22.5 gigawatts and a designed annual generation capacity of 88.2 TWh. In 2012, the dam's 32 generating units generated a record 98.1 TWh of electricity, which accounts for 14% of China's total hydro generation.<ref>{{cite news | archive-date=January 15, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115071329/http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2013/january/chinas-three-gorges-sets-new-production-record.html | url=http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2013/january/chinas-three-gorges-sets-new-production-record.html | title=China's Three Gorges sets new production record | work=Hydro World | date=January 10, 2013 | access-date=January 10, 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Between 2012 (first year with all 32 generating units operating) and 2021, the dam generated an average of 97.22 TWh of electricity per year, higher than Itaipu dam's average of 89.22 TWh of electricity per year during the same period. Due to the extensive 2020 monsoon season rainfall, the annual production reached ~112 TWh that year, which broke the previous world record of annual production by Itaipu Dam equal to ~103 TWh.<ref name=wr20 />