Success Story of BRI and CPEC flagship Karot Hydropower Project

Staff Report

BRI and CPEC flagship Karot Hydropower Project has been a success story of cooperation between Pakistan and China.

President Xi inaugurated the project in 2015 on his landmark maiden visit to Pakistan. The project commemorates its first anniversary with a cumulative power generation of 3.64 billion kilowatt-hours saving 1.59 million tons of coal

CPEC’s flagship project “Karot Hydropower Project in Pakistan celebrated one year of safe operation, with a cumulative power generation of 3.64 billion kilowatt-hours. This is equivalent to saving about 1.59 million tons of standard coal and reducing approximately 3.98 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.PM needs to prioritize projects for CPEC’s success

Karot Hydropower Project is the first large-scale hydropower investment and construction project under the Belt and Road Initiative and the first hydropower investment project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

With a total installed capacity of 720,000 kilowatts (720MW), the plant can meet the electricity needs of over 5 million local residents.

The Karot Hydropower Project operation team made early preparations, based on the “Three Gorges Standards,” to establish institutional systems and production management systems.

They successfully achieved a seamless transition from unit commissioning, installation, and testing to operational management.

Since the full commissioning of power generation, they have continuously improved the safety production management system, implementing over 100 regulations, procedures, and operational guidelines to ensure the safe and stable operation of the plant.

In the past year, the Karot Hydropower Project has achieved its goal of zero accidents and zero losses in power production.

On June 17, the Karot Hydropower Project held a public open day, and a delegation from the Pakistan Senate Defense Committee visited the plant.

During the visit, the delegates praised the Karot Hydropower Project as a successful example of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, bringing significant changes to the local economy, society, and energy security.

The delegation mentioned that the project actively fulfills its social responsibilities by building hospitals, schools, and other public facilities, benefiting local residents, and that Pakistan highly appreciates China Three Gorges Corporation’s corporate social responsibility initiatives and its commitment to clean energy generation at the Karot Hydropower Project.

Currently, Pakistan is facing a tremendous demand for electricity during the hot summer season.

The four units of the Karot Hydropower Project are operating at full capacity, continuously delivering clean energy to support local social and economic sustainable development.

This endeavor injects green momentum into the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, further solidifying Pakistan’s energy security.