PowerChina investigates reports of substandard work on Fujian power station

The Power Construction Corporation of China announced late on Saturday that it had launched a comprehensive investigation into media reports alleging severe quality defects in the construction of the Yong'an Pumped Storage Power Station in Fujian province.

The company, also known as PowerChina, stated that it had established an investigation team, and will work with relevant parties to verify the claims and handle the matter according to laws and regulations.

The hydropower project, located in Sanming city, Fujian province, is considered a key element of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). However, the Economic Information Daily has reported that construction of the lower reservoir dam at the station suffered as a result of significant instances of substandard work and malpractice.

The report pointed to critical defects in hundreds of anchor piles intended to reinforce the bedrock slope of the dam abutment, and stated that the actual length of the constructed anchor piles was substantially reduced, with some measuring less than one-third of the design standard.

The report suggested that the contractor failed to inject cement grout into the majority of the pile holes as required by construction specifications, instead only applying a simple surface sealing at the pile hole entrance to deceive quality inspectors.

PowerChina has pledged to release the results of the investigation shortly after it is complete.