In the Thatta district of Pakistan’s Sindh province, over 100 wind turbines are actively providing green power to rural households. Yang Jianduo, chief representative of Power-China in Pakistan, highlights the significance of the wind power project portfolio, with 12 projects totaling 610 megawatts now connected to the grid.
Impactful Job Creation and Environmental Benefits
The wind power projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework have generated over 20,000 jobs for locals. Upon completion, these projects are expected to contribute 2 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, resulting in a significant reduction of 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
CPEC’s Role in Energy, Transport, and Industrial Cooperation
Launched in 2013, CPEC is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting Pakistan’s Gwadar port with China’s Kashgar in Xinjiang. Hassan Daud Butt, senior advisor at the China Study Center of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, highlights CPEC’s achievements, including $25.4 billion in direct investment, the creation of 236,000 jobs, and the addition of 510 km of expressways and 8,000 MW of power supply by the end of 2022.
Diamer-Bhasha Dam: A Symbol of Friendship and Cooperation
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam is under intensive construction as a landmark project symbolizing China-Pakistan friendship. Once completed, it will be the world’s tallest roller compact concrete dam, with a capacity of 4.5 million kW, generating an estimated 18.1 billion kWh of electricity annually.
Local Impact and Confidence in Development
Local project manager Tabi Satti, who studied and worked in China, emphasizes the visible changes brought by the Belt and Road Initiative to his hometown. Improved infrastructure, stable electricity, and increased job opportunities reflect the broad development opportunities that the BRI and CPEC have brought to Pakistan.
Ongoing Developments in Gwadar and Rashakai
China-funded projects, such as the New Gwadar International Airport and Gwadar East-Bay Expressway, are set to become operational soon. Additionally, investments are pouring into the first phase of the Rashakai special economic zone, contributing to the continued development facilitated by CPEC.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
