The Sahiwal Coal Power Plant was approved to begin commercial operation by Pakistani authorities NEPRA at midnight on Oct 27, after passing a total of 10 acceptance tests.
The operation marks success for the project, set Chinese standards for Pakistan to manage large coal plants and provided experience for other coal plants along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The first large energy project of CPEC, the plant was built by POWERCHINA Nuclear Engineering Company and invested in by China Huaneng Group and Shandong-based Ruyi Group under the F+ EPC mode.
The construction of the 2×660mW Sahiwal Plant began on July 31, 2015 and its two units were put into production in just 22 months. Chief Minister of Pakistan's Punjab province Shahbaz Sharif called it "Sahiwal speed".
The project was also dubbed by a "miracle" for country's history of electric power by the Pakistan government, having the shortest construction time, largest installed capacity and most advanced technology.
The project is significant to Pakistan-China friendship and partnership as well as the implementation of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Generating 9 billion kWh of electricity, the plant will meet the energy demand of 10 million Pakistanis and fill 25 percent of the country's electricity gap.
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| Sahiwal Coal Power Plant [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn] |
