In a major achievement, the Karot hydropower has officially begun its full operations. Pertinent to mention, it is the first hydropower investment under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Speaking at a ceremony held at the plant for announcing the commercial operations of the project, Wu Shengliang, chairman of the China Three Gorges International Corporation – which developed the project – said the project serves as a bridge of friendship between China and Pakistan.
Read more: China Three Gorges: World’s largest hydropower company is symbol of Pak-China friendship
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian also congratulated Pakistan on the full commercial operations of the Karot hydropower. He said the project was finished in seven years by people in both countries who have overcome difficulties and challenges.
Successfully Karot Hydropower Project entered into commercial operational phase of the 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project, the first hydropower investment project under #CPEC. It starts providing continuous clean, green & affordable power to the people of #Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/eA67QBQTA8
— The Daily CPEC (@TheDailyCPEC) June 30, 2022
Why Pakistan needs Karot hydropower
Located 55km away from Islamabad, the Karot hydropower project has a total installed capacity of 720 megawatts.
Interestingly, the project will meet the electricity needs of about 5 million local people and effectively ease the strain on the electricity supply. This will be a major improvement for Pakistan which often faces electricity shortfalls, especially during the summers.
The electricity crisis in Pakistan worsened as the power shortfall reached 7,000 megawatts on Wednesday. Many cities in Pakistan are facing load-shedding of 12 to 14 hours, increasing the miseries of the public which is facing difficulties to perform daily chores.
Read more: China builds walls of clean energy, industry against poverty in Pakistan
Therefore, the Karot hydropower will provide 3.2 billion kilowatt-hours of cheap and clean electricity to the national grid every year to meet the energy demands of around five million local consumers.
In addition to alleviating Pakistan’s power shortage, the project will also improve Pakistan’s energy mix and save about 1.4 million tons of standard coal and reduce 3.5 million tonnes of co2 emissions each year.
The hydroelectric power plant, which started construction in April of 2015, will foster the global push for carbon neutrality, make new contributions to dealing with global climate change