PetroChina Co., Ltd began building the Xinjiang Hotan natural gas pipeline on August 8, after it kicked off construction on China's giant West-East gas pipeline in July.
Located in the southwest of the Xinjiang Tarim basin, the 182 km gas pipeline aims to meet the rising demand for electricity in the ethnic minorities inhabited area and boost the local rural economy. The pipeline is designed to supply 150 million cubic meters per year after completion which can be further expanded to 550 million cubic meters per year.
The pipeline will deliver gas first to the Hotan power plant for electricity generation.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2002)
