Zhikong Hydro Power Station

Zhikong Hydro Power Station
File:Maizhokunggar County Sketch Map png.png Zhikong Hydro Power Station in Maizhokunggar County
Location of Zhikong Hydro Power Station in Tibet
Official name	Chinese: 直孔水电站
Country	China
Location	Maizhokunggar County, Lhasa, Tibet
Coordinates
Purpose	Hydroelectric
Status	Operational
Construction began	May 2003
Opening date	23 September 2007
Operator(s)	China Huaneng Group
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment, rock-fill
Height	50 metres (160 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	225,000,000 cubic metres (7.9×109 cu ft)
Normal elevation	12,660 feet (3,860 m)
Power station
Commission date	2006-2007
Type	Conventional
Turbines	4 x 25 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity	100 MW
Annual generation	407 GWh

The Zhikong Hydro Power Station (Chinese: 直孔水电站), is a reservoir and power station on the Lhasa River in Maizhokunggar County to the east of Lhasa, Tibet, China. It came into operation in 2007, and has a capacity of 100 MW.

Description

The Zhikong Hydro Power Station lies between the middle and lower reaches of the Lhasa River, also called the Kyi River. It is about 100 kilometres (62 mi) northeast of Lhasa, in Maizhokunggar County. It is at an elevation of 12,660 feet (3,860 m) above sea level, downstream from the 160 MW Pangduo Hydro Power Station at 13,390 feet (4,080 m). The Zhikong Dam, a rock-fill dam, is 50 metres (160 ft) tall. It impounds 225,000,000 cubic metres (7.9×10⁹ cu ft) of water. The plant has four 25 MW Francis turbines supplied by Kunming, and is operated by the China Huaneng Group. Installed capacity is 100 MW and annual production is about 407 GWh. The reservoir is also used for flood control and irrigation.

Construction

The Lhasa River Zhi Kong hydroelectric power station was a key project of the tenth five-year plan. Construction began in May 2003, with the No 8 Hydroelectricity Corp of the Armed Police Force responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction. After a fiasco with the Yamdrok Hydropower Station in 1996, 120 kilometres (75 mi) south of Lhasa, the deputy commander of the People's Armed Police construction brigade was placed in charge of the project. Construction cost 1.37 billion yuan. The first generator was commissioned in 2006 and the power station was put into full operation on 23 September 2007.