Karot, 24 November 2021 (TDI): Karot Hydropower Station under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has started functioning its initial operation.
Chinese diplomatic envoy to Pakistan congratulated Pakistan on starting reservoir impoundment of 720 MW Karot HPP successfully. It commenced on 20 November 2021. The Karot project took 5 years for its construction. It is one of the major developmental projects launched under the CPEC. The project is aimed to provide 3.2 billion KWh of green energy per year. It will meet the need for electricity of 5 million people in Pakistan.
The power station is built on the Jehlum river. Chinese company China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG) invested in this project almost 1.74 billion U.S. dollars. The project started in 2016 and took 5 years. The project was part of the Chinese landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Congratulations on the successful starting reservoir impoundment of 720 MW Karot HPP on Nov.20, a major pilot project under #CPEC! It will provide about 3.2 billion KWh of clean energy annually after completion and meet the electricity demand of about 5 million people in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/WqwAtHw0Ng
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) November 22, 2021
The impoundment of the Karot Hydropower Station is divided into two phases. Wang Yi, the project leader stated that the first phase will take 28 days to fill the reservoir to 451 meters. It will launch the first power unit. After which 20 days will be needed for the second phase which will take the reservoir to 461 meters high. It will then achieve its capacity of 150 million cubic meters.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson emphasized the Karot project
Zhao Lijian, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson of China stated that the Karot Hydropower Station project will provide Pakistan with low-cost energy. Due to the nature of the project, it will also help Pakistan to achieve sustainable development as it is planned to reduce Co2 emissions by 3500 tons. He also emphasized that he has visited several times this project during his posting in Pakistan.
Zhao emphasized that Karot is one of the important projects of the CPEC under the BRI framework. He said that CPEC is planned to help Pakistan in its social and economical development. CPEC will boost the energy sector of Pakistan, he added.
Karot Hydropower station is 95% completed and is planned to generate electricity from its four units in the first half of 2022. The project also faced several challenges including the Coronavirus pandemic and the problems of sandstone and mud-stone underground. Pakistani civil engineer Rashid Awan working on the project said that the commencement of the reservoir impoundment is the result of the hard work of the Chinese and Pakistani workers. The project created 4000 jobs for the local residents.
The project has been a blessing for Pakistan in many ways. It will help Pakistan to meet its energy demands. The project also aims to lower Pakistani Co2 emissions. It will provide green energy to Pakistan leading to sustainable development. The project also created employment opportunities.
China and Pakistan are ironclad friends. The two countries have helped each other in hard times. China is committed to helping Pakistan in its economic development. CPEC was launched to boost the economic development of Pakistan. This cooperation will further strengthen the bilateral relations of the two countries.
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