Longyuan Power’s Tidal Power Station Listed as a National Popular Science Education Base

On April 2, the General Office of China Association for Science and Technology unveiled the list of the first group of national popular science education bases for the period from 2021 to 2025. The Jiangxia Experimental Tidal Power Station in Wenling, Zhejiang Province, of Longyuan Power under China Energy, was inscribed onto the list.

A panoramic view of the Zhejiang tidal power station.

Over years, the power station specializing in the utilization of tidal energy has been committed to providing popular science education for the public. So far, it has formed a popular science education base with a tidal power exhibition hall as the mainstay and seven spots in the reservoir area as the supplements. Through videos, photos, texts, and replica models, it gives visitors a vivid picture to tidal power generation, relevant research results, and developments of the maritime economy. Moreover, through visiting its dam, generator rooms, and sluice gates, people can personally experience the charm of tidal power generation. Across the years, the power station has actively shouldered social responsibilities and carried out special science popularization activities on occasions such as the National Popular Science Day and the Science and Technology Week. Through a wide range of activities, the tidal power station demonstrates its construction, honors and international influence, as well as China Energy’s advanced experiences and remarkable achievements in maritime resource exploration. Its tidal power exhibition hall is open to the public and students all year round. It has received more than 100,000 visitors since its establishment.

The first generator of the tidal power station began operation and was connected to the grid in May 1980. After early construction and recent expansion, the power station now has six dual-way tidal power generators with a total installed capacity of 4,100 KW. It is now the largest tidal power station in China and the fourth-largest in the world. Before it was listed as a national popular science base, the power station had won many state-level honors and titles, such as the National Environmental Education and Social Practice Base for Primary and Secondary Schools, a National Key Project, a Key Historical Monument under State Protection, and a National Cultural Heritage. This fully testifies to the achievements made by China Energy in tidal energy utilization and exploration, further expands the influence of tidal power generation, and plays a positive role in promoting energy conservation, emission reduction, and development of green energy, which is expected to push forward the research and development of maritime energy exploration and utilization in the future.