An aerial photo shows Unit 1 of Suwalong Hydropower Station.
Suwalong Hydropower Station Unit 1, the first 1 million kW hydropower station in the Tibet autonomous region, opened on Nov 30 after 72 hours of trial operation. The station went into full operation with all four units running. It was designed and built by POWERCHINA.
Suwalong Hydropower Station in Jinsha River holds its opening ceremony.
The hydropower station is located between Batang county of Sichuan province and Mangkang county of Tibet, as the first power station built in the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, with a total installed capacity of 1.2 million kW. It is also the first large-scale hydropower project with an installed capacity of more than 1 million kW in Tibet and a pilot program to connect the "West-East Power Transmission" project.
The station is located in a plateau area with a high altitude and low temperatures. During the construction, the project team overcame various challenges. They had to adapt to complex geological conditions in its design, protecting the local environment and preserving water and soil.
It will generate 5.4 billion kWh of electricity a year after the power station is fully put into operation. The standard coal will be saved by 1.8 million tons, and the carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced by 4.3 million tons annually. This year, it is estimated that the production of clean electricity will exceed 1.7 billion kWh which is of great significance. It will accelerate the economic development of Tibet and Sichuan and realize the goal of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.
