China itself has been embarking on an ambitious plan of dam building to combat air pollution. The Three Gorges Power Plant, the world's largest hydropower project, generated more than 800 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity since its first turbine was connected to the grid in 2003.
The world's largest energy consumer possesses more than half the large-scale hydroelectric plants on earth－that is more than all the plants in Brazil, the United States and Canada combined.
Experts said that China can leverage on its domestic experience to boost its export and drive the growth of equipment manufacturing industry.
Company hopes to acquire Pakistani power stations
An investment arm of China Three Gorges Corp, the builder of the world's largest dam, plans to acquire both state-owned and private hydropower stations in Pakistan.
"Pakistan plans to privatize some of its state assets, and we want to take an active part in the auction of the state-owned hydropower stations," said Wang Shaofeng, executive vice-president of China Three Gorges International Corporation, the Beijing-based unit of CTG.
There are several large hydropower projects in Pakistan with a total installed capacity of about 3,000 megawatts, Wang said.
"These could be our top choices for acquisition, but we will also consider acquiring small and newly built private hydropower projects," said the senior executive, who had previously worked in Pakistan for more than a decade.
The projects that the unit has in Pakistan are worth $9 billion. It has signed an agreement with Pakistan for a series of projects that could increase the figure about $50 billion.
The Chinese company chose Pakistan as the first stop of its overseas investment due to close ties between China and Pakistan, a country that faces great challenges in meeting its energy demand.
Wang said the 1,100-megawatt Kohala hydropower station, the biggest project currently in Pakistan, is expected to start construction this year and the project is due to be completed in six years.
The Chinese company also plans to set up a facility jointly with Dongfang Electric Corporation in Pakistan to support the local market as well as other neighboring countries.
