While he admitted that "inevitable loss was imposed on the ecology, especially because of the loss of the habitat of some aquatic animals and plants", Gao said the project had played an invaluable role in flood prevention and in the generation of electricity and said it should be evaluated as having brought more "benefits than harm".

The project is capable of generating 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year.

By the end of 2010, it had generated more than 440 billion kWh of electricity since it started to generate power in 2003.

However, natural disasters have loomed.

When the water level of the Three Gorges Reservoir rose to its highest level of 175 meters in September 2010, 97 sections of bank collapsed and 2,000 people were evacuated, according to the Ministry of Land and Resources.

"That was because the water level of the reservoir keeps changing and causes imbalance along the two sides leading to the collapses," Gao said.

"The plan emphasizes ensuring the safety of local people. However, it's a natural process and it will take about seven or eight years before balance is achieved."

Construction of the multi-functional water control system began in 1992 as part of the nation's strategy to provide energy and prevent floods and drought.