Lawa Hydropower Station in southwest China has reached a significant construction milestone following the completion of the second-phase concrete pouring works for the project’s dam slab. The achievement marks another key step in the delivery of one of the major hydropower developments being built along the upper Jinsha River. The project is now entering its final construction sprint ahead of commissioning. The milestone has been described as a critical advancement in the construction of Lawa Hydropower Station’s main structural works.
Project Overview
Located in Sichuan Province, Lawa Hydropower Station forms part of China’s broader strategy to expand renewable electricity generation. It is also a bid to strengthen energy security through large-scale hydroelectric infrastructure. The project is also an important component of an integrated hydro-wind-solar energy system being developed across the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, an area that hosts several of the world’s largest hydropower projects.
Once completed, Lawa Hydropower Station will have an installed generation capacity of approximately 2,000MW. The project features a dam rising to a maximum height of 242.5m, placing it among the significant hydropower structures currently under development in China.
According to project information released by Chinese authorities, the facility is expected to generate roughly 9 billion kWh of electricity annually. This is enough to supply power to more than 4.7 million households each year.
Expansion of Renewable Electricity Generation in China
The Lawa project forms part of China’s continuing investment in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure aimed at supporting national decarbonization objectives and long-term electricity demand growth. Hydropower also remains a cornerstone of China’s energy transition strategy, providing dispatchable renewable generation capable of balancing the increasing contribution of variable solar and wind resources to the national grid.
Additionally, its location on the Jinsha River is particularly significant. The river, which constitutes the upper section of the Yangtze River, hosts a number of major hydropower projects that collectively form one of the world’s largest renewable energy corridors. Through the integration of hydropower with growing wind and solar generation assets, Chinese planners are seeking to establish a more flexible and resilient clean-energy system capable of delivering stable electricity supplies to industrial and urban centers across the country.
Moreover, the completion of the second-phase concrete pouring works is not only a construction milestone for Lawa Hydropower Station but also an important step in expanding China’s renewable generation capacity and supporting the country’s broader carbon reduction commitments.
Lawa Hydropower Station Key Facts
Location: Sichuan Province
River: Jinsha River
Installed Capacity: 2,000MW
Maximum Dam Height: 242.5m
Latest June 2026 Milestone: Completion of second-phase concrete pouring for dam slab
Expected Annual Generation: Approximately 9 billion kWh
Households Powered: More than 4.7 million annually
Strategic Role: Part of an integrated hydro-wind-solar renewable energy system
Energy Corridor: Upper Jinsha River hydro-wind-solar integrated energy system
Status: Under construction; main structure entering final phase toward completion
Who is Behind Construction of Lawa Hydropower Station in China
The Lawa Hydropower Station is being developed and operated by Huadian Jinshajiang River Upper Reaches Hydropower Development Co., Ltd. Huadian is a special-purpose hydropower company responsible for a series of major hydroelectric projects on the upper Jinsha River.
Ownership Structure
The project company is owned by a consortium of Chinese state-owned and regional investment entities:
- China Huadian Group – 48%
- Tibet Development and Investment Group – 20%
- Sichuan Tietou Kangba Investment Co., Ltd. – 20%
- Huadian International Power Co., Ltd. – 12%
Lead Developer
The lead developer is China Huadian Group, one of China’s five major state-owned power generation groups. Through Huadian Jinshajiang River Upper Reaches Hydropower Development Co., the company is also developing several other major hydropower projects on the upper Jinsha River, including the Yebatan Hydropower Station and Suwalong Hydropower Station.
Project Development Outlook After Recent Lawa Hydropower Station Construction Milestone
With major dam construction activities continuing to progress, the Lawa Hydropower Station is moving steadily toward completion and commissioning. The completion of the second-phase concrete pouring works significantly advances the structural development of the project. It also reduces construction risk associated with one of the most technically demanding portions of the scheme.
As additional civil works, electro-mechanical installation activities and grid connection preparations advance, the project is expected to become a key contributor to renewable power generation in western China. Upon entering commercial operation, the station will strengthen regional energy security. It will also support grid stability and contribute substantially to China’s clean-energy objectives.
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