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Communication: China Flood Power People Cohesion Adds "Energy" to Honduran Development

author:Xinhua

Tegucigalpa, 6 May (Xinhua) -- Communication: China flood power people unite to add "energy" to the development of Honduras

Xinhua News Agency reporters Zhu Yubo and Zhou Yongsui

From Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, drive for approximately 4.5 hours in a north-east-east direction. The scenery outside the car window is constantly changing, cities, villages and towns, pastures, cement roads, gravel roads, mountain dirt roads... Near the Patuca River in the province of Orancho, above the river and between two mountains, the Patuca Three Hydropower Station, built by a Chinese enterprise, stands ahead.

Communication: China Flood Power People Cohesion Adds "Energy" to Honduran Development

This is the Patuka Three Hydroelectric Power Station in Honduras, taken on April 28 (drone photo). Xinhua News Agency (Photo by David Drappas)

"The Patuca Three hydroelectric power plant is an important project that Honduras urgently needs." Nelson Ortega, general manager of operations at the Patuka Three Hydropower Station, beckoned reporters to enter the plant. Behind him, there was a humming sound from the turbine generator set.

Communication: China Flood Power People Cohesion Adds "Energy" to Honduran Development

On April 28, Nelson Ortega, general manager of hydropower station operations, inspected the operation of equipment inside the three hydroelectric power plants in Patuca, Honduras. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by David Drappas)

Located in eastern Honduras, Olancho is the country's largest province, with mountains, a dispersed population and weak infrastructure. According to Ortega, before the completion of the hydropower station, the local power supply was mainly supported by the Hong National Power Interconnection System, and frequent power cuts and voltage instability were commonplace for locals.

The completion of the Patuka III hydroelectric power station has changed this dilemma. The project is one of the largest hydropower stations in Honduras, undertaken by PowerChina Corporation (PowerChina), started construction in September 2015 and successfully connected to the grid in December 2020. With a total installed capacity of 104 MW and an average annual power generation capacity of 336 million kWh, it can meet about 6% of the country's electricity demand in Honduras, not only bringing convenience to local people's life and production, but also sending surplus power generation to support other regions.

Walking on the main body of the dam, Zhang Zhen, manager of the engineering technology department of the Patuka Three Hydropower Station, told reporters: "This arc-shaped gate weighs 450 tons alone, the hydraulic opening and closing technology of the arc gate is very advanced, and the regulating capacity of the hydropower station can play a role in peak regulation in the Honduran power grid." ”

When he first arrived in Central America in 2015, Zhang Zhen participated in hydropower projects in Costa Rica and Bolivia, and worked in Honduras for more than 4 years. "I hope that this hydropower plant will enable the people of Honduras to learn more about Chinese equipment, technology and standards, and make the two peoples more friendly." Zhang Zhen said.

The smooth connection of the hydropower station to the grid is inseparable from the joint efforts of both China and Hong Kong. According to Zhang, the project has created more than 2,000 direct local jobs. In addition to more than 200 Chinese employees, a large number of Hondurans have participated in the construction of hydropower plants, including PowerChina foreign employee Carlos Acta.

Communication: China Flood Power People Cohesion Adds "Energy" to Honduran Development

Local employees work at the Patuka III hydroelectric power station in Honduras, April 28. Xinhua News Agency (Photo by David Drappas)

Actar compares the partnership between employees in China and Honduras to a sophisticated watch. "We are like the big, medium and small cogions in a watch, each gear has its own role, is equally important, and works together in an orderly manner, ultimately driving the whole watch to turn."

During his time working in a Chinese company, his Chinese colleagues shared a lot of professional knowledge with him to help Acata grow rapidly. He also followed the construction company to visit local schools and nursing homes, and delivered food, clothes, school supplies, etc. to children and the elderly, witnessing how Chinese companies fulfill their social responsibilities abroad. In Acta's view, the Patuka Three Hydropower Station has witnessed the common growth of hydropower people in the two countries and the continuous development of friendship between the two peoples.

"I hope that in the future, China can participate in the construction of more important projects in Honduras, which will drive the country's development and inject impetus into economic growth." Ortega said.

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