China-Pakistan hydropower lab wins poverty reduction award signifying the efforts for sustainable development.
The project titled China-Pakistan Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Small Hydropower Technology: Collaborative Efforts to Alleviate Poverty in Pakistan, developed by China’s Ministry of Water Resources and the National Research Institute for Rural Electrification, received the Best Poverty Reduction Practice Award at the 2024 International Seminar on Global Poverty Reduction Partnerships held in Beijing.
Despite possessing significant hydropower potential, Pakistan faces challenges such as power shortages and grid instability due to a lack of advanced technology for resource development and equipment manufacturing. Established in 2015, the joint laboratory has contributed to mitigating Pakistan’s energy issues by promoting joint research, technological demonstrations, application advancements, and talent cultivation. These efforts have helped improve local livelihoods, foster rural economic growth, and advance economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
To date, the laboratory has provided advanced assessment technologies for hydropower resources, methods for regional power system design, and developmental plans for hydropower in Punjab’s rivers. It has also formulated proposals for Pakistan’s small hydropower standards and developed intelligent control equipment for small hydropower systems. Additionally, the lab has established demonstration sites for off-grid multi-energy power generation and created a database for small hydropower and rural electrification in South Asia.
Moreover, seven Pakistani scientists have conducted research in China, and 30 South Asian technicians have received training in small hydropower and rural electrification at the facility.
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