PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD: SK Hydropower Station hosted an academic exchange and on-site study visit for a delegation of more than 70 students and faculty members from the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, Narowal Campus.
The delegation visited the underground powerhouse and damsite of the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project. S K Hydro (Private) Limited, the project owner, made comprehensive arrangements for the visit, including route planning, technical briefings and safety training.
Project technical expert Masab Ali provided detailed briefings on the hydropower station’s core technologies, project design, construction techniques and operation and management systems, linking classroom knowledge with practical engineering experience.
The visiting students and faculty appreciated the project’s advanced construction features, particularly the underground powerhouse, 23.1-kilometre headrace tunnel, surge shaft, penstock and intelligent operation and maintenance system. They also praised the effective coordination and teamwork between Chinese and Pakistani personnel.
The project team also highlighted SK Hydro’s initiatives in environmental protection, community welfare and corporate social responsibility, demonstrating its contribution to local development and protection of the river basin’s ecosystem.
The visiting delegation expressed appreciation for the professional technical guidance and hospitality extended by the project team. They said the field visit enhanced their understanding of civil engineering practices, broadened their academic perspective and strengthened their practical engineering skills.
The delegation also observed the role of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in promoting clean energy and supporting Pakistan’s transition towards green and low-carbon development.
SK Hydropower Station is mainly invested, constructed and operated by China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd., the major shareholder of S K Hydro (Private) Limited. The project commenced commercial operations on September 14, 2024, and has so far generated more than 5.35 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity.
As a flagship green energy project under CPEC, SK Hydropower Station continues to contribute to Pakistan’s energy security and economic development. The project management said it would further strengthen cooperation with local communities, promote technical and professional training, and support the development of Pakistan’s hydropower sector while reinforcing the longstanding China-Pakistan friendship in energy cooperation.
