Recently, thanks to the close collaboration of the Chinese-Peruvian team, the San Gabán III Hydropower Plant, jointly invested and constructed by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), and the China-Latin America Production Capacity Cooperation Investment Fund, has successfully completed its first pre-flood annual overhaul. This milestone marks the plant's successful transition from its initial commissioning phase to a period of stable, long-term operation. This achievement is not only a vivid testament to how the Chinese-Peruvian team has solidified the plant's operational foundation through an innovative cooperation model, but also a showcase for the innovative application of the "CTG Standard" and the "CYPC Solutions" in the plant's operations and maintenance (O&M).
Pursuing synergistic collaboration for enhanced management efficiency
To enhance the management efficiency and regulatory compliance of the San Gabán III Hydropower Plant, the O&M team—comprising technical experts from CYPC and localized Peruvian staff—has pioneered an in-depth collaborative model: "Chinese Technical Guidance + Peruvian Execution". To be specific, the Chinese team provides solution design, technical training, and on-site practical guidance, drawing on vast experience from China's mega-hydropower projects; while the Peruvian team executes on the ground, managing equipment inspections, maintenance, and coordination with local speed and expertise. This synergy has enabled the team to perfectly schedule a 24-day maintenance window in sync with river flows and Peruvian grid scheduling demands. The results were outstanding: the team resolved 166 defects, tackled 10 critical challenges, and fully overhauled two generating units and their auxiliary systems, setting the stage for reliable, long-term power generation.
Building a rock-solid safety foundation through collaborative effort
To enhance the operational safety and stability of the San Gabán III Hydropower Plant, the O&M team has adopted an advanced control strategy of "no-blind-spot inspections + comprehensive real-time monitoring". By precisely tracking changes in the main transformer's oil analysis data, the team successfully identified a critical potential hazard. Through joint reviews, a customized solution was developed, and a dynamic management log was established, following a process featuring "Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, Solution Formulation, On-site Rectification, and Effect Verification". This system achieves a closed-loop, traceable management of the entire hazard resolution workflow, significantly reducing the risk of equipment failure. Concurrently, by drawing on experience from China, the O&M team collaborated with equipment manufacturers and design institutes to conduct technical seminars and solution evaluations for critical equipment. Together, they formulated and taken practical measures that have markedly increased the success rate of automatic switchover of the plant service power system. They also successfully achieved a black start—restoring plant service power via an emergency diesel generator during a complete outage. These accomplishments have greatly enhanced the plant's capability to respond to emergencies and protect core equipment, making technical expertise a solid guarantee for the plant's safe and stable operation.
Adopting precise coordination to ensure a stable energy supply
The continuous and stable supply of energy is the core function of the San Gabán III Hydropower Plant and a key pillar supporting local livelihoods and industrial development in Peru. To this end, the O&M team has proactively aligned with the technical requirements of Peru's grid operator (COES). By precisely planning unit and line shutdowns based on scheduling needs, the team has efficiently completed all necessary tasks within brief maintenance windows. It has also specifically advanced the upgrade of the energy metering system and the optimization of the automatic generator tripping and load shedding function. These efforts have further enhanced the stability and compliance of the plant's grid-connected operations, providing a powerful guarantee for the safe and stable supply of clean energy.
The entry of the San Gabán III Hydropower Plant into a new phase of stable, long-term operation is a significant move by CYPC to contribute the "CTG Standard" and "CYPC Solutions" to the global hydropower community, driving the worldwide development of the sector. Looking ahead, the Chinese-Peruvian team will enhance localized O&M support capabilities on all fronts to ensure the plant's safe and stable operation. This will further demonstrate the exemplary value of the Belt and Road Initiative's energy cooperation projects and continue to contribute the "CTG strength" to Peru's socioeconomic development.
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