*ISLAMABAD – The construction of Karot Hydropower Project, a priorityproject under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, hasofficially started.*
The construction begins after the Jhelum River, on which the station isbeing constructed, was closed days ago. The Karot Hydropower Project islocated in the Karot area of Punjab and is the fourth level of the JhelumRiver Cascade Hydropower Project.
According to *People’s Daily*, a Chinese daily, the Jhelum River, being atributary of the Indus River with a vertical fall of about 766 yards, whichruns through India and Pakistan, will provide huge resources for thehydropower station.
As per the report, the Karot Hydropower Project is the first hydropowerstation constructed by Chinese enterprises with Chinese techniquesfollowing Chinese standards. The project will generate clean power of 3.2billion kW-hours each year after it is completed, which is equivalent to 10percent of the total hydroelectric power of Pakistan in 2017.
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The power output is enough to supply power to over two million Pakistanihouseholds and is expected to begin operation in 2021.
With a total investment of about $1.74 billion, the Karot HydropowerProject is built, owned, operated and handed over as an investment model.After the 30-year operation period, it will be transferred to the Pakistanigovernment free of charge.
