Israel's largest pumped storage power project officially began commercial operation on February 21, after receiving its electricity production license from the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure's Electricity Authority. Developed by Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina), the Kokhav Hayarden Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant marks a significant milestone with its successful completion and handover.

Located near the northern Israeli city of Beit She’an, the facility is the lowest-altitude power plant of its kind in the world. The station features an upper reservoir, a water conveyance system, an underground powerhouse, a lower reservoir, and a central building/switchyard. At its core, the underground powerhouse houses two 172-megawatt reversible hydroelectric generating units, contributing to a total installed capacity of 344MW. These units play a vital role in enhancing the security and stability of Israel's power grid.

According to Han Hongwei, general manager of the project at PowerChina, the Kokhav Hayarden plant achieved several engineering firsts. It is the first pumped storage power station independently designed and built by a Chinese enterprise overseas in a region with complex geological conditions and the highest seismic intensity. Additionally, it is the first pumped-storage project utilizing composite geomembrane seepage prevention for the entire reservoir, constructed by a Chinese company. It is also Israel’s first high-pressure shaft project to implement a full set of Chinese equipment and construction methods, including the full-well excavation technique.

The project adheres to high-end market requirements, incorporating European and American standards. Zhang Yijun, PowerChina’s country representative for Israel, emphasized that this achievement serves as a milestone in the global expansion of China’s pumped storage power technology, and demonstrates Chinese contractors' ability to compete in developed markets.

Despite challenges such as complex geological conditions, the project team successfully navigated these obstacles to complete the handover. This accomplishment underscores PowerChina’s growing expertise in executing large-scale international projects, according to Zhang.