Clean Energy Boost as Suki Kinari Hydropower Marks First Year

The Suki Kinari hydropower station, one of the flagship projects under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has completed its first year of commercial operations, generating 2.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Chinese officials said on Wednesday that the project has eased Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuel, contributing to energy security at a time of rising global oil prices.

The station, located on the Kunhar River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has become a significant supplier of clean energy to the national grid.

Beyond power generation, the project has had wider economic and environmental impacts. During its construction phase, more than 6,000 jobs were created, while a large-scale afforestation drive saw the plantation of 150,000 trees.

Officials also highlighted the establishment of a trout hatchery covering 5,000 square metres to protect biodiversity in the region.

The initiative has supported local infrastructure as well. The N-15 highway was rebuilt to improve connectivity, and a new government service centre was established in Khan Area to provide easier access to civic facilities.

Chinese representatives described Suki Kinari as a “shining example” of Pakistan–China cooperation, underscoring its role in shared prosperity.

They noted that the project demonstrates how energy initiatives under CPEC are reshaping Pakistan’s power sector while contributing to community development.