On the Black Volta River in northern Ghana, a magnificent hydroelectric power station stands tall, which is the benchmark project of China Canada energy cooperation - the Bouvet Hydroelectric Power Station. This project, undertaken by China Electric Power Construction Eighth Engineering Division, not only brings stable and reliable clean energy to Ghana, but also becomes a golden business card for pragmatic cooperation and mutual benefit between the two countries.

The total installed capacity of Buwei Hydropower Station is 400 megawatts, with an annual power generation capacity of up to 1 billion kilowatt hours. The main project consists of three generator units, a 110 meter high roller compacted concrete dam, and a dam rear powerhouse. It is a key project in Ghana's energy system. The project funds consist of a loan of 540 million US dollars from the Export Import Bank of China and a matching fund of 60 million US dollars from the Ghanaian government, of which 270 million US dollars is a preferential loan, demonstrating China's sincerity in cooperation. The construction of the project started in 2008 and was successfully completed by the end of 2013 with all units connected to the grid for power generation. With an efficient and high-quality construction level, it has delivered a satisfactory answer to the Ghanaian government and people.

Since its operation, the Bouvet Hydropower Station has continuously released multiple benefits, becoming a "power engine" to assist Ghana's development. In terms of power supply, it effectively alleviates Ghana's long-standing power shortage problem and enhances the stability and resilience of the national power system; In terms of energy structure, it replaces fossil fuel power generation with clean hydropower, reducing Ghana's dependence on imported coal and crude oil, saving a lot of foreign exchange, and helping Ghana take solid steps towards green and low-carbon transformation. At the same time, the water resource regulation function of hydropower stations provides stable guarantee for surrounding agricultural irrigation, drives the vigorous development of animal husbandry and fishery, and allows local people to truly enjoy the livelihood dividends brought by the project.

While promoting project construction, Chinese enterprises have always fulfilled their social responsibility by integrating talent cultivation and industry drive into the entire process of cooperation. The project has created nearly 6000 job opportunities for the local area, covering multiple fields such as construction, installation, and management, helping local residents achieve employment and income growth; Through hands-on technical guidance and systematic training, a group of professional hydropower talents have been cultivated for Ghana, laying the foundation for the long-term development of the local energy industry; The initiative of prioritizing the use of local materials and equipment has further driven the development of Ghana's local industrial chain and promoted regional economic prosperity.

The outstanding achievements of the Bouvet Hydropower Station have won the joint praise of China and Canada. This project not only won the Ghana Government Power Engineering Award and Excellent Engineering Award, but also the China Construction Engineering Luban Award (Overseas Engineering). Its engineering landscape has been featured on the commemorative stamp of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, becoming a witness to the friendly relations between the two countries. The President of Ghana highly praised the Bouvet Hydroelectric Power Station as a "model of great cooperation between the peoples of Canada and China". The successful practice of this project has set an example for the deepening cooperation between China and Canada in energy, infrastructure and other fields, and also provided valuable experience for Chinese enterprises to participate in overseas clean energy project construction.Editor/Bian Wenjun