The First Hydropower Investment Project Under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has been Fully Put Into Commercial Operation

The Karot Hydropower Station in Pakistan, the first hydropower project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor mainly invested and developed by China Three Gorges Corporation, was fully put into commercial operation on June 29. 

At the announcement ceremony for the full commercial operation of the hydropower station, Munawar Iqbal, managing director of the Private Electricity and Infrastructure Commission of Pakistan, said that the Three Gorges Corporation has overcome difficulties such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully achieved the goal of putting the Karot Hydropower Station into full operation, bringing much-needed clean energy to Pakistan.  Three Gorges also actively practices corporate social responsibility to help local communities develop sustainably.  He thanked the Three Gorges Corporation on behalf of the Pakistani government.

Iqbal said that the Pakistani government will continue to implement the energy cooperation goals of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and promote cooperation under the “Belt and Road” Initiative.

Wu Shengliang, chairman of the Three Gorges International Energy Investment Group Co., LTD., said in his speech that the Karot Hydropower Station is a priority energy cooperation project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and a key project of the "Belt and Road", which symbolizes the hardcore friendship between China and Pakistan, the full operation of the Hydropower Station is another fruitful achievement of the energy construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Wu Shengliang said the Karot Hydropower Station will provide 3.2 billion Kilowatt-hours of cheap and clean electricity to Pakistan every year, meeting the needs of 5 million local people and playing an important role in alleviating Pakistan's power shortage, improving its energy structure and promoting sustainable economic development.

The Karot Hydropower Station is located in Karot District, Punjab Province, Pakistan, and is the fourth stage of the Jhelum River Cascade hydropower scheme.  The project broke ground in April 2015, with a total investment of about 1.74 billion US dollars and a total installed capacity of 720,000 kilowatts.  It is expected to save about 1.4 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 million tons every year after it is put into operation.