America News Agency

According to CCTV, the Suki Kirar Hydropower Project, implemented under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is contributing clean electricity to Pakistan’s energy needs while also strengthening technical cooperation between the two countries.

Construction of the 884-megawatt hydropower project, located in Mansehra district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, began in January 2017. The project became operational in September 2024.

Since becoming operational, the Suki Kirar Hydropower Project has generated more than 2.8 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity. The project is also reported to save approximately 1.3 million tons of standard coal annually, while the electricity generated is transmitted to Pakistan’s national grid.

Senior project engineer Mubashir Hasan said, “Our project generates 884 megawatts of electricity. When it enters the national grid, it will benefit not only our provinces but the entire country.”

The project stands out not only for electricity generation but also for the sharing of technical knowledge and experience between the two countries. Pakistani and Chinese engineers work together at different stages, from design and construction to operation.

The Suki Kirar Project is also regarded as an important training ground for young Pakistani engineers, where they can gain hands-on experience with advanced technology.

Engineer Malik Muhannad Danal, who works on the project, said he was a recent graduate when he started and had gained significant experience from Chinese engineers and the technologies being used.

Danal said, “When I came here, I saw the latest equipment and the best technology. I believe the Chinese keep themselves up to date with the latest technology. I learned a lot and gained a great deal of knowledge from the best people in the field.”

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, launched in 2013 as one of the flagship projects of the Belt and Road Initiative, has made progress over the years in various areas such as power plants, transport infrastructure and port investments.

The Suki Kirar Hydropower Project also stands out as one of the major investments under CPEC that strengthens Pakistan’s energy infrastructure and increases renewable energy production.