(Yicai Global) July 23 -- The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric dam, has stepped up its power generation to the maximum mode for the first time this year, caused by heavy rainfalls in the region.

On July 19, the Hubei province-based dam's total power generation capacity reached its full load of 22.5 million kilowatt-hours, with the average daily power generation of 540 million kWh, state-backed Xinhua News Agency reported, adding that the reason was the considerable upstream volume of water flows.

The initial prediction is that the Three Gorges will retain its full blast mode until around July 29, said Zhao Yunfa, chief of a cascade dispatch center. The hydroelectric power station's water level is 185 meters, while normal water level is 175 meters, official information showed.

Since early July, the upstream regions of China's longest Yangtze River have witnessed more intense rainfalls than in previous years, which has caused the river to flood.

The China Three Gorges Project built the dam with its name in 1993, and invested USD151 million in the endeavor. The power plant generated 97.6 billion kWh of electricity last year, up 4 percent from the year before.

Editor: Emmi Laine