Wenchuan county in Sichuan province, the epicenter of the May 12 earthquake is upstream of the Min River that has several hydropower operations, as well as some smaller ones in the tributaries.

The Taipingyi hydropower plant of China Huaneng Group, the country's largest power generation company is also in Wenchuan county. Although the project had no major problems in its dam, the situation of upstream projects was in danger, according to the company.

Shanghai-listed Sichuan Minjiang River Irrigation Hydropower Co Ltd, a company in control of a number of hydropower projects near the earthquake's epicenter, says it is still assessing the impact of the quake on its operations.

The dam for the major Zipingpu hydropower station between Wenchuan and Dujiangyan city is stable, according to the Ministry of Water Resources, following an inspection.

Apart from hydropower projects, the earthquake damaged some power equipment manufacturers in Sichuan including Dongfang Electric in Hanwang in Deyang that was badly damaged when several buildings collapsed, causing several hundred deaths.

The economic loss to Dongfang Electric is not yet known. The company is one among China's three largest power generation equipment manufacturers.

State Grid Corp of China, which is responsible for the power supply in 26 provinces including Sichuan, said the company was quickening its pace for power system restoration in the earthquake-hit regions.

At present the company's main power grids are stable and the electricity supply was gradually recovering, according to the company.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)