China Huaneng Begins Construction of Tibet's Largest Hydropower Station

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The groundbreaking ceremony for China Huaneng Group's 510-megawatt (MW) Zangmu Hydropower Station, the largest hydropower station in Tibet, was held in Jiacha County, in the Shannan prefecture, on September 27, 2010.

Zangmu Hydropower Station is the fourth step in the cascade development scheme for the middle section of the Yaluzangbu River, which stretches from Sanri to Jiacha counties. The dam site is in Jiacha County and is about 7 kilometers from the S306 highway from Shannan to Linzhi; about 17 kilometers from Jiacha county downtown; and about 325 kilometers from Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet. The project will be the first large-scale hydropower station in Tibet, and will be furnished with six 85-MW units. Total estimated investment in the project will be about $1.18 billion. The project is mainly designed for power generation, together with other diversified functions in flood control and irrigation. According to the schedule, the first unit of the project is expected to begin operations in 2014.

Among the leaders and representatives attending the ceremony were Baimachilin, the deputy secretary of the Tibet autonomous region; Hao Peng, the executive vice chairman of Tibet; and Cao Peixi, the president of China Huaneng Group. Na Xizhi, the vice president of China Huaneng Group, presided over the ceremony, according to an announcement made by China Huaneng Group on September 30.

In January 2010, the Chinese government had worked out the planning for energy development in Tibet, namely to "build a comprehensive and sustainable energy system predominated by hydropower." Based on this planning, the energy system construction in Tibet is being enhanced.

"Upon completion, the project will be a backbone power station in the central Tibet grid, which will not only supply sufficient power to meet the rapid social and economic development in central Tibet, but also ensure the safe and reliable operation of the grid," said Cao Peixi at the ceremony.

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