The Suki Kinari (SK) Hydropower Station achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday with the successful completion of its Back Feeding process, marking the official countdown to its grid-connected power generation.

Situated on the Kunhar River in Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the SK Hydropower Station stands as a flagship project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a pivotal component of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Developed and constructed by China Energy Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. (Energy China), it represents the largest greenfield hydropower investment by Chinese enterprises abroad and Energy China's most substantial hydropower station investment to date.

HE Xiongfei, Chairman and General Manager of SK Hydro (Private) Limited, remarked on the accomplishment, stating, "The Back Feeding is a critical test of the operational condition of the high-voltage equipment at the 500KV switching station of SK Hydropower Station under full voltage. The entire power transmission process strictly adhered to the operating procedures for Back Feeding. Following the power transmission, the equipment across the entire line operated stably, and all indicators met the design requirements, successfully achieving the established targets."

With its Commercial Operation Date (COD) approaching, the SK Hydropower Station is projected to generate an average of 3.212 billion kilowatt-hours annually upon commencement. This influx of affordable and clean energy is expected to benefit over one million Pakistani households, offering a substantial boost to the nation's power and energy infrastructure. The project is poised to address the existing supply-demand imbalance and foster infrastructure transformation and economic development within Pakistan.

The successful Back Feeding underscores the collaborative efforts between Pakistan and China in advancing sustainable energy solutions, further solidifying the bilateral ties under the ambit of CPEC.