In the northwest of Yaroslavl, a Russian ancient city by the Volga River, a modern power station is continuously outputting surging energy – the Zhemchuzhina Gas-Steam Combined Cycle Heating Power Station invested and constructed by China Huadian. This power station, which can be reached by traveling about 280 kilometers northeast from Moscow, with an annual power generation of 3.02 billion kilowatt-hours and an annual heat supply of 814,000 gigajoules, not only meets the heating needs of local residents but also injects powerful impetus into the economic takeoff of Yaroslavl Oblast and even the central region of Russia, becoming a shining pearl of Sino-Russian energy cooperation.
As China's first large-scale power investment project in Russia, the Zhemchuzhina Power Station is a vivid practice of the full chain of "Chinese technology + Chinese standards + Chinese equipment + Chinese management" going global. The project adopts advanced gas power generation equipment and is equipped with highly efficient energy-saving and environmentally friendly devices. While reducing natural gas consumption by 25%, it cuts down the emissions of atmospheric pollutants by 30%, taking into account both economic and ecological benefits. In the face of the differences in technical standards between the two countries, the power station integrates China's GB/T standards and Huadian's advanced safety management experience. Through a series of special inspections and potential hazard investigations, it has achieved the goal of clearing all hidden dangers during the "Year of Hidden Danger Tackling", and has obtained the operation permission from the Russian Ministry of Energy for seven consecutive years with full marks in autumn and winter. It has also been awarded the title of "The Most Reliable Power Station" by the Yaroslavl Dispatching Bureau.
During the operation process, the Zhemchuzhina Power Station actively implements the concept of localization. Among the 189 employees, 168 are from Russia, covering various positions such as operation and maintenance. The enterprise not only respects local working habits but also enables Chinese and Russian employees to encourage each other at work and support each other in life, forming a deep friendship through activities like holding birthday parties and celebrating festivals of both countries. In addition, the power station actively fulfills its social responsibilities, donating anti-epidemic supplies during the pandemic, carrying out five fish fry stocking activities in the Volga River Basin, with a cumulative stocking of 73,000 fish fry. At the same time, it regularly holds cultural exchange activities, public opening activities, etc., enhancing the mutual understanding between Chinese and Russian people. In the future, China Huadian will take the Zhemchuzhina Power Station as a fulcrum to deepen Sino-Russian energy cooperation and contribute more to the Belt and Road Initiative and the improvement of people's well-being in both countries.
