China has built the Balakot Hydropower Project has achieved river closure on the Kunhar River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marking a major step toward the start of the dam’s main construction phase.
The 300 megawatt project, located in the Balakot area of Mansehra district, is being developed by the China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) through its subsidiary, China Gezhouba Group Third Engineering Co., Ltd. Construction formally began in September 2021.
Speaking at the ceremony, Syed Habib Ullah Shah, Chief Executive Officer of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation, said the project represents the largest hydropower scheme currently under construction in the province.
“Once completed, it will help meet Pakistan’s growing energy demand, support the country’s economic goals, contribute to climate change mitigation, and promote a green and low-carbon transition,” he stated.
Shah added that the project will reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported energy sources and strengthen the country’s energy security and economic resilience.
Mao Huigang, General Manager of China Gezhouba Group Third Engineering Co., Ltd., highlighted the project’s contribution to local employment and economic development.
“The project has so far created more than 2,000 local jobs and boosted related industries such as power, construction materials, and services,” he noted, reaffirming the company’s commitment to advancing the main dam construction in close cooperation with Pakistani partners.
Once operational, the Balakot Hydropower Project is expected to generate about 1.144 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to meet the power needs of nearly 1.8 million people.
Officials described the development as a milestone achievement under China-Pakistan energy cooperation, emphasising its role in supporting Pakistan’s transition toward sustainable and self-reliant energy production.
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