Karot hydropower project put into full commercial operation

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Karot Hydropower Project- the first hydropower investment project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which was invested in and established by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), has now been put into full commercial operation, media reported.

The inauguration ceremony of the Karot HPP COD Ceremony was held at Power House on Thursday. During the ceremony, Dr. Munawar Iqbal, Acting Managing Director, Private Power, and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) expressed gratitude on behalf of the Pakistani government to CTG.

“In spite of COVID-19 impact, 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,” Dr. Munawar Iqbal remarked.

He further stated that “on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, I would like to reaffirm our commitment in implementation and accomplishment of CPEC Energy Cooperation targets and facilitation towards the realization of the Belt and Road Initiative.”

Meanwhile, Wu Shengliang, Chairman of China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI) also addressed the ceremony. He stated that Karot Project will give 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of low-priced and clean electricity to the national grid each year to fulfill the energy demand of five million local users. It will also help reduce carbon dioxide discharges by 3.5 tons every year.

Nearly 5,000 job opportunities were created for the residents by the project during the construction while 40 local students were sponsored to complete their undergraduate studies from CTG scholarship, Wu stated, 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 issued on the occasion. Karot Hydropower Project is sited on the Jhelum River in Pakistan’s Punjab Province having a total installed capacity of 720 MW. It is one of the Prioritized Projects besides the first large-scale hydropower investment project under CPEC. Furthermore, Karot Project was written into the Joint Statement between the Pakistani and Chinese governments.