720-megawatts environment-friendly Karot Hydropower Project put into full commercial operation which will supply 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to the national grid every year.
Karot hydropower is the first project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which is completely invested in and developed by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).
A special ceremony was held at Karot Hydropower Power House to inaugurate the commercial operation that was attended by Pakistani and Chinese officials, engineers and other workers. Acting Managing Director of Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) Dr Munawar Iqbal extended overwhelmed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Pakistan to the officials of China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).
“Despite hurdles created by Covid-19, the construction progress of the project remained satisfactory, and because of such a brilliant construction, the project has started successfully delivering much-needed clean and green energy to the national grid,” he said.
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He added that “on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, I would like to reaffirm our commitment to implementation and accomplishment of CPEC energy cooperation targets and facilitation towards the realisation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).”
While addressing the ceremony, Chairman China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI) Wu Shengliang said that Karot Power Project will provide 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of cheap and environment-friendly electricity to the national grid every year to meet the energy demand of around five million local consumers. It will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 3.5 tons every year.
Meanwhile, nearly 5,000 jobs were provided to the local people by the project during the construction and 40 local students were funded to complete their undergraduate studies from CTG scholarship, Wu said, adding “Karot Project is serving as a bridge of friendship between the two countries.”
The first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report of CTG in Pakistan was also issued at the ceremony.
Karot Hydropower Project is constructed on the Jhelum River in Punjab with a total installed capacity of 720 megawatts. It is one of the prioritised projects as well as the first large-scale hydropower investment under the CPEC. Meanwhile, Karot Project was written into the Joint Statement between the Pakistani and Chinese governments.
