The forum on Geological and seismic problems in hydropower development, hosted by CSHE (China Society for Hydropower Engineering) and CHINCOLD, was hold in Beijing on March 6, 2011. The aim of the forum was to explain geological and seismic problems in hydropower development professionally and authoritatively, through detailed data and research findings, as well as introducing the situation of geological and seismic problems in the development of Nu River basin in China. Many famous experts on geology, seismic prevention and hydropower planning design were invited to attend the forum.

At the meeting

Dr. Jia Jinsheng, President of ICOLD and Vice President and Secretary General of CHINCOLD, Vice President of IWHR, took the chair of the forum. The other experts attending the forum include Academician Chen Houqun from IWHR, Director General Xu Xiwei, Director Zhou Qing, Prof. Guo shunmin and Prof. Jiang Fu from Geology Institute of China Earthquake Administration. Prof. Zhu Jianye, former director of Geological Survey Division in the Hydropower and Water Resources Planning & Design General Institute, Mr. Zhang Boting, Vice Secretary General of CSHE, Mr. Chu yuexian, Director of Engineering Science and Technology Division in Sinohydro Corporation, Ms. Ding Xiuhua, Member of the NPC from Nujiang Prefecture. Over 20 entireties of media also attended the forum, including Xinhua News Agency, The China National Radio(CNR), People Daily Online, china.org.cn, China Youth Daily, China Energy News, China Reform News, Science Times Media Group, China Electric Power News, China Water Resources News, State Grid Liang newspaper, Southern Metropolitan Daily, National Business Daily, China Business News, Development of west China News, Caijing Magazine, Financial Circles, Energy Magazine and so on.

Dr. Jia Jinsheng, President of ICOLD and Vice President and Secretary General of CHINCOLD, Vice President of IWHR 

Dr. Jia Jinsheng pointed out that the No.1 Central Document of 2011 released by the CPC Central Committee focused on water conservancy, which means that many deficiencies and challenging issues exist in the water conservancy field. Lots of dams have been built in China, but the current problems associated with water supply, food security, flood control, drought control etc, are still severe. More water conservancy projects are desired to be built for the remission of these severe problems. Another challenge issue is to deal with great pressure of global climate change. China will develop renewable sources of energy rapidly during the 12^th five-year plan. Hydropower as an important renewable energy has a high priority, which is harmonious with the international trends. Most developed countries nearly completed hydropower development in the earlier period of last century, far ahead of China and other developing countries. Taking NuJiang River as an example, the development of the lower reach of Nujiang River within China’s borders couldn’t advance for all kinds of reasons, although the lower reaches outside borders have been developed on a large scale. The construction of dams and reservoirs along Nujing River will change the river valley's poverty and backwardness.

In the process of dam construction and hydropower development on large rivers, we need to treat relevant problems scientifically. Dr. Jia hoped this forum could be a wonderful platform where authoritative experts can explain hot issues professionally to media so that the public could have a scientific cognition on these professional problems though media. He expected more and more people would understand and support water conservancy and Hydropower, and further take practical actions to implement the central No.1 document and the develop-the-west strategy.

Ms. Ding xiuhua gave a speech on advancing hydropower development of Nujiang River, the main way to boost ecological environment protection in Nujiang valley and help local residents out of poverty. She pointed out Nujiang prefecture is a typical area in Yunnan province which is a poor mountainous area located on the frontier with many ethnic groups. The economic development of Nujiang prefecture faces serious difficulties and problems. Based on their experiences for many years, Nujiang’s people realized the only way for developing economy is to take the advantage of natural resources. Nujiang River has great potential in hydropower, which can be cyclically used for a long term and will benefit in both economy and environment.

Ms. Ding Xiuhua, NPC member of Nujiang Prefecture

Prof. Chen Houqun reported about dam safety upon seismic resistance. Chen said that the dam safety in highly seismic regions draws great attention from the public and the government. Comparing to other countries in the world, the dam safety criteria of seismic resistance in China is quite high. And lots of experiences have been acquired during the construction of a series of large dam projects in Jinsha River, Dadu river etc. Prof. Chen also pointed out as long as the standard of seismic resistance is observed strictly, the anti-quake safety of dams built in highly seismic regions can be guaranteed.

Academician Chen Houqun

Mr. Xu Xiwei gave a report on features of the active-faults disaster and countermeasures. Mr. Zhou Qing delivered a speech on introduction of the background of regional seismicity. Mr. Guo Shunmin gave an address on Seismic safety evaluation of hydropower stations. Mr. Jiang Fu made a presentation on Discussion on geological and seismic problems in hydropower development in Nujiang River. Mr. Zhu Jianye gave a speech on geological problems in hydropower development.

Mr.Xu Xiwei,  Director General of Geology Institute of CEA

Mr. Zhang Boting, Vice Secretary General of CSHE

In the end, Mr. Zhang Boting made a conclusion and expected that scientific understandings on geological and seismic problems in hydropower development would be sent to the public via media.