The 884-MW Suki Kinari hydropower plant is set to begin commercial operations by the end of August 2024, according to a report in Business Recorder. The project is being developed by SK Hydro, a Chinese company, and is considered one of the highest priority early harvest projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC), SK Hydro, is in the final stages of completing the Suki Kinari hydropower project located in the Mansehra district.

The Suki Kinari hydropower project will soon begin transmitting low-cost, green power to the national grid through a newly completed 500kV transmission line. This will reduce Pakistan’s reliance on costly imports of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, saving the country billions of dollars annually.

The 75-kilometer transmission line, constructed to evacuate power from the hydropower project, is an engineering marvel and a symbol of the strong partnership between Pakistan and China.

The deputy managing director of NTDC, Muhammad Mustafa, congratulated his team and the project’s consultant, NESPAK, for their exceptional work on this challenging endeavor.

He also acknowledged the perseverance and dedication of Project Manager Gai, as well as the significant contributions of the chief executive of MK Engineers and Constructors (Pvt) Ltd Shahid Mahmood.

The general manager of the China Energy Group’s Pakistan branch, Wang, highlighted the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and China. He applauded the unwavering support from the Pakistani government and the leadership of Project Manager Gai Xiqiang, congratulating all stakeholders on the successful completion of the Suki Kinari Project. He emphasized the project’s significance as a cornerstone of the CPEC initiative, symbolizing progress and cooperation between the two countries.

The Suki Kinari transmission line, which spans elevations from 696m to 1967m above sea level, is considered one of the most challenging power transmission lines in Pakistan’s history, comparable to the renowned Karakoram Highway Project, also known as the China–Pakistan Friendship Highway.Once operational, it will become the largest private sector and the largest hydropower project to be commissioned under CPEC.

The successful completion of this project is the result of collaborative efforts between SK Hydro, the Pakistani government’s Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB), and various ministries and departments in both China and Pakistan.

To commemorate this milestone, SK Hydro is planning to organize a formal ceremony on September 19, 2024 in Islamabad, and has invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to attend as the chief guest.

The Suki Kinari hydropower project represents a significant $1.8 billion investment and is considered a major green initiative under the CPEC framework.