First Chinese-built power station in Nepal begins operation

Construction photo of the Upper Marsyangdi A Power Station. (Photo/Power China)

On the afternoon of Sept.26, an opening ceremony was held for the Upper Marsyangdi APower Station in Nepal, which is the first one invested in and built by a Chinese enterprise.The Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) is the company responsible for both investment and construction.

The station's first generator set has already successfully generated electricity. The installed capacity of the power station accounts for 5.72 percent of Nepal’s total installed capacity,so its operation will greatly ease the country's power supply shortage.

Upper Marsyangdi A Power Station is a BOOT (Build—Own—Operate—Transfer) project with a total investment of $165.9 million and a concession period of 35 years. About 180 kilometers from Katmandu, the station's total installed capacity is 50,000 kilowatts. It will provide about 317 million kilowatt-hours of power to Nepal annually.

Sheng Yuming, president of Power China Resources Ltd., explained that the project is an especially important investment in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative. The project has greatly promoted Chinese standards, technologies, equipment and culture in Nepal,and has become a good example of China-Nepal economic cooperation.