ISLAMABAD The first hydropower investment project of the China-PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC), the Karot Hydropower Station, has entered thestage of comprehensive construction.
The construction has begun after successful completion of closure of theJhelum River, on which the station is being constructed, according to aChinese media website.
The hydropower station is located in the Karot area of Punjab province andis the fourth level of the Jhelum River Cascade Hydropower project.
The Jhelum River, being a tributary of the Indus River with a vertical fallof about 766 yards, which runs through India and Pakistan, will providehuge resources for the hydropower station.
The Karot project is the first hydropower station constructed by Chineseenterprises with Chinese techniques following Chinese standards.
The project will generate clean power of 3.2 billion kW-hours each yearafter it is completed, which is equivalent to 10 per cent of the totalhydroelectric 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 $1420 million, the Karot project is built,owned, operated and handed over as an investment model. After the 30-yearoperation period, it will be transferred to the Pakistani government freeof charge.
The project was being developed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer basis withfive years construction period and 30 years concession period.
