First Unit of Largest Overseas Hydropower Project of CEEC Connected to Grid

The first unit of the Suki Kinari Hydropower project, which was among the first under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework and the largest overseas greenfield hydropower investment project by a Chinese company, was officially connected to the grid for power generation.

The SK Hydropower project is invested by China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. Its investment also involves the participation of Gezhouba Group International Engineering Co., Ltd., while construction of the project was undertaken by China Gezhouba Group No. 3 Engineering Co., Ltd., and China Gezhouba Group Mechanical and Electrical Construction Co., Ltd.

Located on the Kunhar River in the Cape Province of Pakistan, the project is a water diversion hydropower station with a long tunnel and ultra-high water head. The total investment of the power station is 1.962 billion US dollars, and the water head is as high as more than 900 meters. It has four impact-type units, boasting a total installed capacity of 884 megawatts and a storage capacity of 13.45 million cubic meters.

As a flagship project of the CPEC, the Suki Kinari Hydropower project boasts the largest impulse water turbine generator units and the deepest pressure shaft group in the world, meaning that it involves high construction standards. 

Meanwhile, the station stands as the largest hydropower station invested and constructed by CEEC overseas, and serves as a pivotal milestone in the group's commitment to the Belt and Road cooperation. This endeavor holds immense significance in driving the high-quality development of the group's overseas investment ventures.

The first unit of the SK Hydropower project completed the dry commissioning test on May 25, and the water commissioning test on June 16. The unit overspeed test was completed on June 20. All electrical tests were completed on July 1, and the conditions for grid-connected power generation were met. The reverse power supply test was completed on August 7, achieving “one-time installation completion, one-time successful startup, one-time successful commissioning, and one-time successful trial operation” for the first unit.

The engineering and technical personnel's monitoring of debugging and trial operation revealed that the stability, swing, temperature, noise, and other technical parameters all exceeded the design standards.

After the project is fully put into operation, the estimated annual power generation is 3.212 billion kWh. It can save about 1.28 million tons of standard coal and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 3.2 million tons each year, providing affordable and clean electricity to more than 1 million Pakistani households. 

During the peak of construction, the SK project generated up to 6,600 jobs, effectively stimulating local social and economic development.