GLOBALink | Chinese-built lowest-altitude power plant in Israel enters final construction stage

JERUSALEM, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Construction of the Kokhav Hayarden pumped storage power plant in northeastern Israel entered the final stage on Wednesday as the 200-ton rotor of the first generating unit was successfully hoisted and installed.

The rotor is a core component of the power generating unit, the installation of which makes an important milestone in the construction.

The 344-megawatts hydropower plant, the largest of its kind in Israel, is built by the Chinese firm Power Construction Corporation of China (PCCC) and is expected to operate in early 2023.

It has two reservoirs, 3.1 million cubic meters each, with a waterhead of about 500 meters, a two-generating unit underground powerhouse cavern, and a 161 kV switching station connected to the Israeli grid.

It is also the lowest pumped storage power plant in the world, whose powerhouse lies 275 meters below sea level.

The pumped storage power plant is a widely used energy storing method globally, project manager Han Hongwei told Xinhua.   

After being put into use, the project would provide flexible backup power and stability to the grid of Israel.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service