Celebrating 100th anniversary of CPC | China-built 'Peal of the Night' shines in Guinea

Renowned as the "water tower" of West Arica, Guinea has always been dreaming to leverage its rich water resources for electricity generation since the early 20th century. But the dream failed to come true for a long period of time for various reasons.

In 1964, the Chinese government decided to help Guinea build the Jinkang Hydroelectric Power Station. Overcoming difficulties such as language barriers, extremely hot weather, mosquito and fly bites and high incidence of epidemic diseases, the Chinese expert aid team worked out a detailed plan and implemented it through cooperation with all circles in Guinea.

The station's construction officially started on July 2, 1964, Its river-closure construction was finished on Nov 15 at the same year. On June 9, 1966, the station was completed. With an effective reservoir capacity of 2.74 million cubic meters and an installed capacity of 4×800 kilowatt unit sets, it supplied electricity for four cities, Pita, Lago, Dalaba, and Mamou, gaining the fame as the "Pearl of the Night" in Guinea.

At the hydropower station's handover ceremony, Ahmed Sekou Toure, the then president of Guinea, presented medals to the Chinese experts. "Long live China, and long live Chairman Mao!" the president shouted excitedly. Thousands of people chanted, "Long live China-Guinea friendship! Long live the friendship between the Chinese and Guinean people!" 

Over 50 years on, the "Pearl of the Night" of Guinea still shines brightly, witnessing the friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their people. 

Guinea's new and old 5,000-franc notes feature the image of the Jinkang Hydroelectric Power Station.