The 720 MW Karot hydropower project, the first hydropower tie-up developed by the China Three Gorges Corp under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), started commercial operation June 29.
Located on the Jhelum River in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, the project is a major project on energy cooperation under the CPEC and the first large-scale hydropower investment venture, CTG said. Construction on the hydroelectric power plant began in April 2015.
Karot is expected to generate some 3.2 billion kWh of clean electricity per year and will provide stable and cheap energy to Pakistan to meet the electricity demand of roughly 5 million residents. It is estimated that the project will reduce CO2 emissions by around 3.5 million tons per year, foster the global push for carbon neutrality, make new contributions to dealing with global climate change and effectively alleviate Pakistan’s power shortage.
The China Three Gorges Corp said that during construction of the project, it provided scholarships for more than 20 public welfare projects — such as schools, hospitals and roads for local communities — to promote development of surrounding communities. In addition, the project can provide more than 4,500 direct and indirect local jobs each year.
The Karot hydropower project is the fourth stage of the five cascade hydropower stations planned for the Jhelum River. Another project on the river, which began generating electricity in 2018, is 969 MW Neelum Jhelum.
CTG said it has provided infrastructure such as clean energy supply to more than 40 countries and regions around the world, with a total overseas installed capacity of about 18,000 MW.
The CPEC is a major pilot project of the Belt and Road Initiative. It is also a significant platform for bilateral comprehensive and pragmatic cooperation that holds the principles of greenness, openness and integrity, and it is committed to fulfilling the goals of sustainability, improving people’s livelihood and aiming for high standards, Zhao Lijian, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in May.
