Academician Lu Youmei
• Professor, Tsinghua University
• Professor, Hohai University
• Chairman, Chinese National Committee on Large Dams
• Member, Chinese Academy of Engineering
Speech Title: Thoughts on the Three Gorges Project
Professor Lu Youmei is a hydraulic engineering expert. Born in Shanghai in 1934, he graduated from the Hwa-Tung Water Resource Institute (now Hohai University) in 1956. Professor Lu was former President of the China Three Gorges Project Corporation. He has served as Vice Minister of the Hydroelectric Ministry, and the Energy and Resource Ministry, and was Chairman of the Chinese Large Dam Committee. Professor Lu is currently a professor of Tsinghua University and Hohai University and is the Honorary Chairman of the Chinese National Committee on Large Dams.
Professor Lu has dedicated much time to the management and technological development of hydraulic engineering projects. He participated in many important hydraulic engineering projects in China, for example, the Yellow River Liu Jia Xia and Long Yang Xia projects, and the Hanjiang Shiquan and Ankang projects. Professor Lu contributed to promoting the reform of the hydropower construction system, taking part in the Three Gorges Project demonstration work and was a deputy team leader of the demonstration supervising team. He took charge of the Three Gorges Project from 1993-2003, making a significant contribution to the development of a range of important technologies and management of the project, such as plans for project implementation, logistics and transportation, diversion and cofferdam work, accelerating the construction process and the purchase of hydraulic turbine-generator units. Professor Lu devised a new bidding and contracting system, established a complete quality control and investment control system and improved fundraising. Professor Lu advocated the principle of “Double No”, that is, no quality problem and no safety problem. He established management objectives to ensure synergies between construction and the environment. The Three Gorges Project was completed according to the planned schedule, quality standards and investment plan, in a testament to the success of the technological developments and decisions implemented. In 2003, the objectives of power generation from the first batch of units and opening the ship lock to navigation were realized.
Professor Lu was elected a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2003.
