Saturday, October 25

Balakot Hydropower Project Achieves Major Milestone with Successful River Diversion and Closure

Balakot, Pakistan October 25, 2025(Kamran Raja )The Balakot Hydropower Project, undertaken by China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (CGGC), a core member of China Energy Engineering Group, has successfully completed the river diversion and closure of its dam. This marks a major milestone, transitioning the project into the main phase of dam construction.

Located on the Kunar River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, about 220 kilometers from Islamabad, the Balakot Hydropower Project is the largest hydropower development currently under construction by the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO). The project includes a 49-meter-high concrete gravity dam, a 9.1-kilometer headrace tunnel, and an underground powerhouse equipped with three 100 MW Francis turbine generator units  totaling an installed capacity of 300 MW.

Once operational, the project will generate around 1.14 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enough to meet the energy needs of approximately 1.8 million people.

The successful river diversion marks the shift from “river diversion” to “foundation construction” a crucial step for the project’s timely progress. The operation used a single-side blocking method with upstream and downstream cofferdams advancing from both banks, ensuring safety and stability through precise hydraulic and material management.

Balakot Hydropower Project Achieves Landmark Progress with Successful River Closure October 2025 — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan In a major milestone for Pakistan’s energy infrastructure and China–Pakistan cooperation, China Gezhouba Group Third Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Corporation (Energy China), has successfully completed the river closure of the Balakot Hydropower Project, marking the project’s official transition to the main dam construction phase. The Balakot Hydropower Project is being developed through a strategic collaboration between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government’s Energy and Power Department, its Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Situated on the Kunhar River, about 220 kilometers north of Islamabad, the project is the largest hydropower initiative currently under construction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The 49-meter-high concrete gravity dam will feature a 9.1-kilometer headrace tunnel and three 100-megawatt Francis turbine generator units, providing a total installed capacity of 300 MW. Upon completion, the project will generate an estimated 1.144 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually enough to meet the energy needs of around 1.8 million people across Pakistan. The project is expected to significantly enhance energy security, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and lower carbon emissions, contributing broader goals of green growth and sustainable development. The river diversion for the dam was executed using a single-side blocking method, completed safely and efficiently within three hours, ensuring stable conditions for the start of full-scale construction activities. This milestone represents the culmination of months of engineering precision, environmental management, and coordination among multiple national and international stakeholders. Mr. Mohammad Zubair, Secretary of Energy for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, congratulated the project team, stating: “The successful river closure of the Balakot Hydropower Project is a historic step toward realizing the province’s clean energy ambitions. Once completed, this project will provide stable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to millions of people, stimulate industrial growth, and strengthen the energy infrastructure of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” The successful completion of the river closure ceremony marks a defining moment in KP province’s hydropower journey towards shared prosperity and energy resilience for future generations. Mr. Mao Huigang, President CGGC Third Engineering Co., Ltd. Senior representative of Energy China, highlighted the project’s social and economic contributions and stated that : “The Balakot Hydropower Station has already created over 2,000 local jobs and continues to support skills development, infrastructure improvement, and community uplift. Our commitment is to make Balakot a model project of China–Pakistan energy cooperation providing renewable energy, promoting provincial economic growth, and improving livelihoods in the surrounding areas.” Beyond its technical significance, the Balakot project symbolizes the deepening partnership between Pakistan, China, and international development institutions in addressing the country’s energy challenges through sustainable means.Speaking on the occasion, Mao Huigang, Representative of CGGC, said “The Balakot Hydropower Project is a symbol of China-Pakistan friendship under the Belt and Road Initiative. It reflects the strong cooperation and mutual trust between our two nations. CGGC remains committed to ensuring high-quality construction and timely completion, making this a model project for China-Pakistan energy cooperation.”

Balakot Hydropower Project Achieves Major Milestone with Successful River Diversion and ClosureThe Pakistan Times
Mr. Habibullah Shah, CEO of PEDO and Project Director of Balakot Hydropower Project, appreciated the efforts of the Chinese team China has always been a reliable and time-tested friend of Pakistan. Their partnership in this project goes beyond engineering  it is based on sustained cooperation and mutual trust.”

The project has already created over 2,000 local jobs, supporting Pakistan’s energy, construction, and services sectors.

This is the second successful river diversion on the Kunar River by CGGC. The company previously completed the SK Hydropower Station, which has been supplying 2.8 billion kWh of clean electricity to Pakistan since its commissioning.

Over the past two decades, CGGC has contributed significantly to Pakistan’s infrastructure development through major projects including Neelum-Jhelum, Mohmand, Karot, and Dasu Hydropower Stations, as well as the E35 Highwayand M4 Motorway, further strengthening the bond between China and Pakistan.