Overview
The Woka River-I Hydropower Station, also identified in regional records as the Wokahe First-cascade Hydro Station, is an operational hydroelectric powerplant situated in the People's Republic of China. Located within Sangri County in Shannan City, Tibet, the facility represents a key component of the local water conservancy infrastructure. The station is primarily designed to harness the kinetic energy of the Woka River to generate electricity, contributing to the regional power supply in a geographically diverse administrative region. As a water conservancy project, the station integrates energy generation with broader hydrological management goals, serving not only as a power source but also functioning as a small-scale irrigation facility for the surrounding agricultural lands. This dual-purpose design is characteristic of many hydropower developments in the Tibetan plateau, where water resource optimization is critical for both energy security and local agrarian productivity.
The station has a total installed capacity of 20 MW, classifying it as a small-scale hydroelectric installation. It was commissioned in 2000, marking the beginning of its operational history in the Shannan region. The facility is operated by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops, a specialized entity responsible for managing and maintaining the hydropower assets within its jurisdiction. The operational status of the Woka River-I Hydropower Station remains active, indicating its continued relevance to the local energy grid and water management systems in Sangri County.
Location and Regional Context
Geographically, the Woka River-I Hydropower Station is positioned in Sangri County, which is part of Shannan City in the Tibet Autonomous Region. This location places the facility in a high-altitude environment, typical of the Tibetan plateau, where hydrological resources are abundant but require careful engineering to maximize efficiency. The choice of Sangri County for this water conservancy project reflects the strategic importance of the Woka River in the local watershed. The station's integration into the Shannan City infrastructure supports the broader energy and agricultural needs of the region, providing a stable power source and irrigation capabilities that enhance local resilience.
Operational Characteristics
With a capacity of 20 MW, the Woka River-I Hydropower Station contributes a modest but significant amount of electricity to the local grid. The operation by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops suggests a structured and disciplined approach to maintenance and management, leveraging the organizational strengths of the armed police corps to ensure consistent performance. The station's dual function as an irrigation facility highlights the integrated nature of the water conservancy project, where water flow is regulated to optimize both power generation and agricultural output. This multifunctional approach is essential in regions like Tibet, where water resources are vital for sustaining both energy production and local food security. The station has been operational since 2000, demonstrating long-term reliability and continued service to the community of Sangri County and the wider Shannan City area.
History and Construction Timeline
The Woka River-I Hydropower Station, also identified as the Wokahe First-cascade Hydro Station, represents a significant water conservancy project within the Tibet region of China. Located in Sangri County, Shannan City, the facility is currently operational with an installed capacity of 20 MW. The development of this hydroelectric infrastructure was executed by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops, who served as the primary operator responsible for the construction and subsequent management of the station. The project’s construction timeline began in April 1996. This start date marked the commencement of physical works on the site, initiating the transformation of the local water resources into a structured energy generation asset. The Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops oversaw the engineering and logistical requirements necessary to establish the station in the Sangri County terrain. The construction phase spanned approximately four and a half years, culminating in the official completion of the project on 12 October 2000. This completion date aligns with the broader commissioning year of 2000, during which the station began its operational life, contributing to the regional energy mix in Shannan City.| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| April 1996 | Construction start date for the Woka River-I Hydropower Station. |
| 12 October 2000 | Completion of the construction phase. |
| 2000 | Official commissioning of the 20 MW facility. |
Why it matters
The Woka River-I Hydropower Station holds significant strategic importance within the broader framework of China’s regional development policies, specifically recognized as one of the 62 Aid Projects to Tibet identified by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. This designation underscores the station's role not merely as a local energy source, but as a critical infrastructure component in the national effort to modernize and stabilize the Tibetan Autonomous Region. As a water conservancy project located in Sangri County, Shannan City, the facility contributes to the integration of Tibet’s energy grid with the national system, facilitating economic growth and improving living standards in a geographically challenging terrain.
Inclusion among the 62 Aid Projects highlights the political and economic weight placed on the Woka River-I Hydropower Station by central authorities. These projects were selected to address key bottlenecks in Tibet’s development, with energy infrastructure being a primary focus. The station’s operational status, having been commissioned in 2000, demonstrates the successful execution of these strategic initiatives. With a capacity of 20 MW, operated by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops, the station provides a reliable power supply that supports local industries, residential areas, and public services in Sangri County and surrounding regions.
Regional Development Impact
The significance of the Woka River-I Hydropower Station extends beyond its immediate electrical output. As part of the Aid Projects to Tibet, it serves as a catalyst for broader socioeconomic improvements. Reliable energy access is fundamental for attracting investment, supporting agricultural processing, and enhancing educational and healthcare facilities. The station’s location in Shannan City, a historically and culturally significant area of Tibet, further amplifies its impact on local communities. The project reflects the Central Committee’s commitment to leveraging infrastructure development to foster stability and prosperity in the region.
Furthermore, the involvement of the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops as the operator highlights the intersection of military and civil infrastructure management in Tibet. This arrangement ensures efficient operation and maintenance, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the project. The station’s success as one of the 62 Aid Projects serves as a model for subsequent infrastructure developments in Tibet, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted central government interventions in driving regional progress.
Technical Specifications and Capacity
The Woka River-I Hydropower Station operates as a water conservancy project within the Shannan City administrative region of Tibet. The facility is situated in Sangri County, leveraging the hydrological characteristics of the local river system to generate electricity. The station is operated by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops, which manages the infrastructure and daily operations of the plant. The facility has maintained an operational status since its commissioning in 2000, contributing to the regional energy supply through consistent hydroelectric generation.
Installed Capacity and Generation Output
The total installed capacity of the Woka River-I Hydropower Station is 20 MW. This capacity is derived from the conversion of potential energy from the water source into electrical energy through the station's turbine-generator sets. The plant is designed to deliver a consistent output, contributing to the stability of the local grid in the Sangri County area.
In terms of annual production, the station generates approximately 73 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year. This annual generation capacity reflects the seasonal flow variations of the Woka River and the operational efficiency of the installed turbines. The 73 million kilowatt hour output supports local consumption and feeds into the broader Tibetan power network, enhancing energy security in the region.
| Technical Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Entity Type | Hydroelectric Power Plant |
| Primary Fuel/Source | Water |
| Country | China (CN) |
| Administrative Region | Sangri County, Shannan City, Tibet |
| Operator | Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops |
| Commissioning Year | 2000 |
| Operational Status | Operational |
| Total Installed Capacity | 20 MW |
| Annual Power Generation | 73 million kWh |
What was the investment for the Woka River-I project?
The financial structure of the Woka River-I Hydropower Station represents a significant capital allocation for a facility of its scale in the Tibetan Plateau region. The project was funded through a substantial investment of ¥861.1 million. This capital was primarily secured through financing arrangements with the China Development Bank, a key state-owned policy bank in China responsible for funding major infrastructure and industrial projects across the nation. The involvement of the China Development Bank underscores the strategic importance placed on developing hydropower resources in the Sangri County area, which is part of the broader Shannan City administrative region in Tibet.
The investment figure of ¥861.1 million covers the comprehensive costs associated with the water conservancy project. This includes the civil engineering works required to harness the flow of the Woka River, the installation of the hydroelectric generation equipment, and the integration of the facility into the regional power grid. The project is operated by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops, an entity that manages several hydropower assets in the region. The financial backing from the China Development Bank facilitated the construction and commissioning of the plant, which became operational in the year 2000.
Securing funding from a national development bank is a common pattern for hydropower projects in western China, where the terrain and logistical challenges can drive up construction costs. The China Development Bank's role as the primary financier provided the necessary liquidity to complete the project, ensuring that the 20 MW capacity could be brought online as planned. This financial model allowed for the efficient deployment of capital to unlock the energy potential of the Woka River, contributing to the local energy mix in Tibet.
Geographic Context in Shannan City
The Woka River-I Hydropower Station is situated within the administrative boundaries of Sangri County, which falls under the jurisdiction of Shannan City in the Tibet region of China. This location places the facility in a distinct geographic zone characterized by the complex topography of the Tibetan Plateau. The station serves as a key component of the water conservancy infrastructure in the area, leveraging the natural hydrological features of the Woka River to generate electricity. The specific site selection reflects the strategic importance of utilizing local water resources for energy production in this part of the country.
Coordinates and Site Location
Precise geographic positioning of the Woka River-I Hydropower Station is defined by the coordinates 29.31 and 92.23. These coordinates pinpoint the exact location of the facility within the broader landscape of Sangri County. The latitude and longitude values provide a clear reference for the station's placement relative to other geographic markers in the region. This specific location is critical for understanding the hydrological context of the project, as it determines the flow characteristics of the Woka River at the point of extraction. The station's position is integral to the overall water conservancy project in Tibet, ensuring that the infrastructure is optimally aligned with the natural water course.
The designation of the station as the "First-cascade" or "Wokahe First-cascade Hydro Station" indicates its role within a potential series of hydroelectric developments along the river. This naming convention suggests a sequential approach to harnessing the river's energy, with the Woka River-I station serving as the initial point of power generation in the cascade. The geographic context of Shannan City and Sangri County provides the necessary environmental and administrative framework for the operation and maintenance of the facility. The station's integration into the local landscape is a testament to the engineering efforts required to establish hydroelectric power in this region.
Understanding the geographic context of the Woka River-I Hydropower Station is essential for appreciating its operational parameters and its contribution to the energy infrastructure of Tibet. The location in Sangri County, Shannan City, and the specific coordinates of 29.31 and 92.23 define the physical reality of the project. This geographic specificity ensures that the station is accurately identified and distinguished from other energy facilities in the region. The water conservancy project in Tibet continues to rely on such precisely located infrastructure to meet the energy demands of the area. The station's position remains a fixed and critical element of the regional energy landscape.
Operational Role and Irrigation Function
The Woka River-I Hydropower Station functions primarily as a hydroelectric generation facility within the broader water conservancy infrastructure of Sangri County, Shannan City, in the Tibet region of China. As a water conservancy project, its operational mandate extends beyond simple electricity production to include the management of local hydrological resources. The facility has been operational since its commissioning in 2000, providing a consistent energy output of 20 MW to the local grid. This capacity, while modest in the context of major national hydropower schemes, is significant for the localized energy needs of Sangri County and the surrounding areas of Shannan City.
Hydroelectric Generation Profile
The station's primary role is the conversion of kinetic energy from the Woka River into electrical power. With an installed capacity of 20 MW, the Woka River-I station contributes to the regional energy mix, supporting both residential and light industrial consumption in the area. The operation by the Third Corps of Armed Police Hydropower Troops suggests a structured maintenance and operational regime, typical of state-managed hydro assets in Tibet. The station is identified as the "First-cascade" in its naming convention, implying it is part of a sequential development strategy along the Woka River. This cascading approach allows for the efficient utilization of the river's head and flow, maximizing energy extraction from the water source. The facility's status as an operational water conservancy project indicates that it continues to meet the technical and environmental standards required for sustained power generation in the Tibetan plateau environment.
Secondary Irrigation Function
In addition to its primary role in power generation, the Woka River-I Hydropower Station serves a secondary function in local irrigation. As a water conservancy project, the infrastructure is designed to regulate water flow, which can be strategically released to support agricultural activities in Sangri County. The irrigation function is described as small-scale, indicating that while it is not the primary driver of the station's design, it provides valuable support to local farming communities. The regulation of the Woka River's flow helps ensure a more consistent water supply for crops, mitigating the variability inherent in natural river systems. This dual-purpose design is common in regional hydro projects, where the economic benefits of electricity generation are complemented by the agricultural stability provided by controlled water releases. The station's location in Sangri County places it in a region where agriculture plays a key role in the local economy, making the irrigation function a meaningful contribution to the area's overall development. The integration of power generation and irrigation underscores the station's role as a multifaceted infrastructure asset, serving both energy and agricultural needs within the Shannan City region.