Inspectors on Saturday began to examine the first two giant generators in operation at the Three Gorges dam area in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River, the final and vital test before they start commercial operation in August.

A panel of experts authorized by the central government to oversee the Three Gorges dam project began the seven-day examination on Saturday.

With a designed generating capacity of 700,000 kW each, the two generators, known as the No.2 and No.5 generators, have been connected to the power grids and began to generate electricity earlier this month on a trial basis.

Yang Qing, vice-general manager of China Yangtze River Three Gorges Project Development Corporation, which is in charge of the construction project, said tests of the two generators had been progressing, and they were doing well.

The experts will assess the 29 systems of the generators and will pass them for commercial operation if they meet the requirements of the assessment.

The two generators had generated a total of 100 million kWh during their trial operations, said Yang.

Launched in 1993 and expected to be completed in 2009, the Three Gorges Project will begin to pay dividends later this year, playing an important role in flood control, power generation, navigation, water diversion and environmental protection.

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