Authorities in the Haixi Prefecture of Qinghai Province have confirmed that the Nalenggele River Water Control Hub, the largest water infrastructure project in the region, has begun the turbine commissioning stage ahead of its official power generation launch.

Situated in the arid Qaidam Basin, the project’s location experiences an average annual precipitation of merely 42.8 millimeters, while evaporation rates soar to 2,504 millimeters. The flood season, spanning June through September, contributes over 70% of the annual runoff, creating a persistent regional challenge where wet-season waters cannot be stored effectively and dry-season shortages hinder industrial development.

As one of China’s 172 major water-saving and supply projects, the Nalenggele hub boasts a total reservoir capacity of 588 million cubic meters. Once fully operational, it is projected to deliver an average annual water supply of 264 million cubic meters with a supply reliability rate of 97.4%. Through the Phase I Qaidam Water Resources Allocation Project, the regulated water will be channeled along two routes: the western line will supply industrial parks in Mangya and Lenghu, ensuring stable water provisions for the development of salt lake resources such as potassium fertilizer and lithium carbonate.

The clean hydroelectric power generated by the facility will integrate with regional wind and solar capabilities, establishing a comprehensive green energy system combining hydropower, wind, solar, and storage. Beyond industrial supply, the project will bolster flood control along the river basin, safeguard critical infrastructure including National Highway 315 and oil and gas pipelines, and mitigate groundwater over-extraction, thereby contributing to the ecological protection of the salt lake area.

At present, the electromechanical installation of all three hydro-generating units has been completed, with commissioning activities proceeding in an orderly manner.