Name of the Project
Karot hydropower project.

Location
The project is located on the Jhelum river, in the Punjab region of Pakistan and the country’s self-governing Azad Kashmir division.

Client
Karot Power Company.

Project Description
Karot is part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative and is the first hydropower project being developed in Pakistan by China Three Gorges.

The hydropower project forms part of a five-project cascade that will help manage the vital water resource of the Jhelum river and provide much-needed generation capacity to the country.  The project is a single-power generation task hydropower complex, with reservoir storage of 164.5-million cubic metres. Its installed capacity is 720 MW, with an average electricity output of 3 436 GWh/y.

The project will comprise a 95.5-m-high asphalt core rock-fill dam, a separate spillway, intake structure, three diversion tunnels, four headrace tunnels and a surface power house containing 4 × 180 MW Francis turbines with a warranted output of 116.1 MW.

The project includes a new public bridge across the river and a substantial spillway structure to manage flood flows.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Value
The project value is estimated at $1.28-billion.

Duration
The project is expected to be completed by 2021.

Latest Developments
The project achieved financial close in March.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Three Gorges Economy Development Company (engineering and construction contract), China Machinery & Electric Company (equipment supply contract) and Mott MacDonald (lenders’ technical, environmental and social adviser).

On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.

Contact Details for Project Information
Karot Power Company, tel +92 51 8487408 or fax +92 51 8482222.