China’s Qianjiangyuan Hydropower Station Begins Grid-Connected Operation

Wedoany.com Report-Dec.4, The Qianjiangyuan Hydropower Station, part of the Kaihua Reservoir project in Kaihua County, western Zhejiang Province, China, successfully connected to the grid on November 28, 2025. All commissioning tests were completed on schedule, enabling the facility to enter full commercial operation.

Qianjiangyuan Hydropower Station.

Located at the headwaters of the Qiantang River, the Kaihua Reservoir is one of China's 150 major national water-conservancy initiatives and an important element of the country's integrated water network. The reservoir covers a catchment area of 233 square kilometres, with a total storage capacity of 184 million cubic metres and a normal water level of 251 metres. The hydropower station has an installed capacity of 13.8 MW.

The Qianjiangyuan station is positioned downstream of the power-generation diversion tunnel and connects to the local Shengyu grid. It features two 6 MW vertical-shaft Francis turbine-generator units and two 0.9 MW horizontal-shaft Francis ecological units designed to maintain required environmental flow releases downstream.

Grid-connection activities commenced on November 25. Technical teams completed line and transformer energisation, on-load tap-changer verification, phase-sequence confirmation, and comprehensive protection system testing. All automation equipment operated correctly, allowing seamless integration with the provincial grid as planned.

Project representatives confirmed that the focus will now shift to regular operation and maintenance procedures to ensure long-term stability and performance.

The new hydropower facility enhances comprehensive water-resource management in the Qiantang River Basin while contributing to flood-control capabilities, ecological protection, and sustainable energy supply in the region. Its operation supports the continued optimisation of Zhejiang Province's clean energy portfolio and promotes balanced regional development.