This will bring benefits and business opportunities for Swedish companies. We are knowledgeable in this area and there will be opportunities in various areas of this great project.

The river already has the world's largest hydroelectric power plant project called "Three Gorges Dam". The Chinese view hydropower as an important option to help get away from coal, which contributes to more than 70 percent of the country's energy supply.

Hu Siyi, Vice Minister of Water Resources, announced the plans during a forum in Shanghai and also talked about what is required for hydroelectric projects.

China has the world's largest hydroelectric-resources, and a theoretical potential of 540 million kilowatts. The Three Gorges Dam has been the contribution of electricity since 2003 and accounts for 8.8 percent of China's electricity consumption in 2008.

China will need skills and resources from many different companies over several years, especially in this project.

                                                                               Tony Harkén