Chinese hydropower turbines now being installed

The installations of the world's largest hydroelectric turbine generators have begun at China's Xiangjiaba Dam.

The turbines, 6.3m in diameter and weighing over 1,900t, have the capacity to generate 800,000kW of electricity each, according to China Daily.

The hydropower plant is expected to come on-stream towards the end of 2011, following a year of installation and testing.

Once fully operational, Xiangjiaba will comprise eight turbines and generate over 30 billion kWh of electricity each year.