The controversial Three Gorges Dam project will start producing power later this year as the first batch of four turbines will go into operation as scheduled, state media reported.
Engineers would start two generating units in August and another two in October, Xinhua and the China Daily reported.
Engineering firm Gezhouba Group Company has already started installing the units.
Critics of the project have highlighted to its enormous complexity, pointing out that the turbines are the world's largest.
A mainland newspaper has reported that foreign experts who are expected to help install the turbines have cancelled their trips because of the Sars outbreak.
The first group of generating units will produce 5.5 billion kilowatt hours of electricity this year.
