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The year 2026 marks the 75th?anniversary of China–Pakistan diplomatic relations – a partnership that has grown from cordial neighbourly ties into a resilient, all-weather strategic cooperation. At the forefront of this green collaboration stands China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited (CSAIL), a subsidiary of China Three Gorges International Corporation (CTGI), quietly shaping a more sustainable and prosperous Pakistan through pioneering clean energy.
A Monument to Partnership: The Karot Hydropower Project
Commissioned in June 2022, the 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project on the Jhelum River is the first major CPEC hydropower project to reach commercial operation – and the first large-scale hydropower investment project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative. A living symbol of what both nations can build together, the project has generated a cumulative 11 Billion kWh of clean energy till 2026, with an average of 3,206 GWh of clean electricity annually, meeting the annual energy needs of more than five million Pakistanis, while preventing approximately 12 million tonnes of cumulative CO? emissions – equivalent to roughly 3.5 million tonnes every year. Developed under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model with a 30-year concession period, Karot will ultimately be handed over to Pakistan as a permanent national asset.
?The 720 MW Karot Hydropower Project
CSAIL also operates three wind farms – TGF, TGS, and TGT – in Jhimpir, Sindh, with a combined installed capacity of 148.5 MW. Together they deliver approximately 443 GWh of clean electricity to Pakistan each year, meeting the power needs of more than 600,000 people.
Beyond Electricity: Environment and Community
CSAIL’s vision extends well beyond power generation. At Karot, a Biodiversity Management Plan protects the Jhelum River ecosystem, including monitoring the vulnerable mahseer fish in collaboration with Margalla Hills and Jhelum Valley national parks. Karot and Wind Power Projects’ Community Investment Plans have delivered multiple new and improved public infrastructure projects spanning roads, bridges, water systems, hospitals, schools, drinking water access, environmental awareness, and tree plantation programmes. On the education front, CSAIL supports scholarships at the universities like NUST, MUST, University of the Punjab and the Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, nurturing the next generation of Pakistani energy professionals.
The wind farm operated by CSAIL in Pakistan
Iron Brothers in Times of Need
The depth of China–Pakistan friendship is most visible in adversity. Following the devastating 2022 floods, which affected over 33 million people, CSAIL contributed USD 650,000 to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. In 2025, the company again stepped forward for flood-affected communities in Punjab. These acts reflect the enduring spirit of “iron brotherhood” – a solidarity defined by shared commitment, not convenience.
The Next 75 Years
As both nations mark this historic milestone, CSAIL remains steadfast in its commitment to this extraordinary partnership. Its growing pipeline of clean energy projects promises additional sustainable megawatts alongside new employment, skills development, and community advancement. Seventy-five years ago, a diplomatic handshake laid the foundation for one of the defining bilateral relationships of the modern era. Today, that foundation has blossomed into a partnership anchored in trust, strengthened by shared purpose, and illuminated by a common vision for a greener future – and CSAIL is proud to be a part of its story.
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