POWERCHINA-built coal-fired power plant starts operation

The Port Qasim Coal-fired Power Plant constructed by POWERCHINA began commercial operation 67 days in advance in Pakistan at 00:01 local time on April 25.

It marks the successful completion of the project and opens a new chapter in the investment and operation of POWERCHINA's overseas thermal power business.

Since construction of the coal-fired power plant project started in May 2015, Qasim Power Generation Co and all participating companies of POWERCHINA have overcome numerous difficulties including a non-traditional security situation.

In just 32 months, the power plant's two generating units achieved grid-connected power generation 50 days and 74 days ahead of schedule, respectively, which demonstrated "China speed" and became a successful model for energy cooperation between China and Pakistan.

Now that the power plant has started commercial operation the two units can generate 9 billion kWh of electricity per year at full capacity, which will account for 8.4 percent of total power generated in Pakistan. This will meet the demand of four million local households for efficient, clean, cheap and continuous energy.

Meanwhile, the plant is also of great significance to Pakistan's adjustment of its power structure, reduction of terminal electricity prices, improvement in people's lives and promotion of local economic development.

The power plant uses supercritical units independently designed and manufactured in China, the source of over 99 percent of its equipment. The project has effectively advanced the "going out" of Chinese standards, technology and equipment and promoted the Made in China 2025 plan.

Compared with traditional oil-fired generating units, the supercritical units have higher power generation efficiency and are friendlier to the environment.

The power plant uses seawater secondary circulation cooling and seawater desalination to supplement its water requirements, and uses limestone-gypsum wet desulfurization technology to meet the environmental protection standards of Pakistan and the World Bank.

In the process of project construction, Qasim Power Generation Co adhered to the concept of “localization” and shared advanced engineering technologies.

It provided logistics service jobs to local people such as engineers, technicians, laborers, drivers and kitchen helpers.

At the peak of the project, more than 4,000 local people were employed, which boosted employment and improved their living conditions.

The project also indirectly increased demand for materials, equipment transportation and other industries, which promoted the development of the local economy and society.

In 2016, the power plant recruited its first batch of 100 outstanding university graduates from Pakistan. After six months of training in China, they are all participating in the operation and maintenance of the power plant.

Port Qasim Coal-fired Power Plant will become a training base for Pakistani thermal power generation personnel and will train and deliver a large number of staff for the development of Pakistan's power and energy sector.

As the first operational project of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor and the No.1 project of the Pakistan Government, the power plant is a good model for the construction of other projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

In the future, POWERCHINA will continue to develop global green clean energy, share the economic and social responsibilities of regions where projects are located and promote Chinese and foreign multicultural integration.

It will actively participate in construction of infrastructure in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and continue to upgrade its overseas investment business.