HEC Motor: Redefining the "Chinese Pinnacle" in Power Equipment Manufacturing
Recently, HEC Motor has been celebrating a string of triumphs with its cutting-edge equipment, presenting a special gift for its 75th anniversary. Key milestones include the successful initial rotation of Unit 4 at the Zhejiang Tiantai Pumped Storage Power Station, which boasts the world's highest rated water head and the largest domestic unit capacity; the acceptance of the first batch of DC nozzles for the Datang Zhala Hydropower Station, featuring the world's largest-capacity high-head impulse turbine; and the startup of Unit 1 at the Guizhou Liupanshui Dawan Low-Calorific Value Coal-Power Project.
From its arduous beginnings during the relocation from south to north China to manufacturing New China's first hydropower generator set and its first 25MW steam turbine generator; from the debut of the Baihetan million-kilowatt units to the deployment of the world's largest impulse runner on the snow-capped plateau; from commanding half of the nation's large-scale hydropower installed capacity to maintaining a steadfast lead in the domestic pumped storage market—HEC Motor has traversed a glorious 75-year journey. Known as the "Eldest Son" of the Republic's power equipment sector, it has fulfilled its mission to "provide power for the world and bring light to humanity," writing a magnificent epic of entrepreneurship, struggle, and innovation. Notably, HEC Motor successfully developed the Zala impulse turbine runner, which holds the record as the world's largest single-unit capacity and runner size.
Laying a Solid Foundation Through Hard Work: Walking Alongside the Nation on a New Journey
Core Reading: On June 6, 1951, the cornerstone of New China's power equipment manufacturing industry was laid, marking the historical starting point of China's power equipment sector evolving from scratch. Over the past 75 years, HEC Motor has shouldered the responsibilities of the Republic's "Eldest Son," standing firm as the "mainstay" and "ballast stone" of the national industry.
In the early days of New China, amidst massive reconstruction efforts, HEC Motor independently designed and manufactured the country's first 800kW Suixiong unit in 1951, achieving a "zero-to-one" breakthrough. In 1980, it successfully developed China's first 125MW Gezhouba Kaplan turbine generator set, winning the industry's first National Quality Gold Medal. Crossing into the new century, Chinese hydropower entered the "Three Gorges Era." HEC Motor conquered the world-class challenge of high partial-load pressure pulsation bands and pioneered the application of fully air-cooled technology in the Three Gorges 700MW large-capacity units, drawing global attention. Today, HEC accounts for half of the domestic large-scale hydropower installations, securely safeguarding national energy security and illuminating millions of homes.
Advancing thermal and nuclear power simultaneously to build a multi-energy complementary landscape. In 1958, HEC manufactured New China's first 25MW steam turbine generator, opening the chapter for medium-sized units. It has since continued to climb new heights. In thermal power, it achieved independent R&D of million-kilowatt-class generators and designed the domestic largest 400MW fully air-cooled steam turbine generator. In nuclear power, it independently developed the 155MW half-speed nuclear steam turbine generator. In 2023, the Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant—the world's first fourth-generation nuclear plant, where HEC participated in construction—was commissioned, marking a monumental milestone for China's nuclear equipment.
A robust R&D system is the inexhaustible source of innovation. HEC Motor houses the industry's only National Key Laboratory for Hydroelectric Equipment and the National Engineering Research Center for Hydroelectric Equipment. Over 75 years, it has created 82 "Firsts of the Republic" and "World Records," won 14 National Science and Technology Progress Awards, completed over 1,600 technological breakthrough projects, secured 781 valid patents, and led or participated in drafting over 170 national and industry standards. Behind these honors lies the patriotic devotion of generations of HEC employees rooted in this "Hometown of Power," vividly interpreting the heavy responsibilities and unwavering mission of this "Eldest Son."
Scaling Peaks Through Independent Innovation: Leading Globally and Forging Heavy-Duty Equipment
Core Reading: Driven by major national projects, HEC Motor has focused on original and leading-edge technological research, continuously breaking world records across multiple fields. These peak pieces of equipment, representing the "Chinese Pinnacle," have bolstered the backbone of the national power equipment manufacturing industry and unleashed a globally resounding "Chinese Power."
Climbing toward the "Extremes": Leading the Full-Spectrum Hydropower Direction. In 2021, the first batch of units at the Jinsha River Baihetan Hydropower Station was put into operation. On this "Mount Everest" of global hydropower, HEC Motor conquered over 20 world-class challenges, earning a First Prize in the Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Award and helping Baihetan win the FIDIC Outstanding Project Award. Today, the eight premium units on the right bank, independently developed by HEC, have operated stably for over 1,700 days, guarding the world's largest clean energy corridor.
In July 2025, the completion and shipment of the Zala impulse runner—the world's largest with a 500MW single-unit capacity and a 6.23m runner diameter—marked a historic breakthrough for China in core equipment for large-capacity, high-head impulse units. In December of the same year, six units at the Jinsha River Yinjiang Hydropower Station, boasting Asia's largest 65MW capacity and the world's largest 7.95m runner diameter, were fully operational, securing five national patents. From Francis to Impulse, and Tubular turbines, HEC Motor continues to lead globally with a hardcore product matrix.
From the Dongning unit (China's first exceeding 700m head and 350MW capacity) to the Tiantai unit (with a rated head of 724m, 425MW capacity, and a domestic maximum pump lift of 776m); from the Weijiachong station breaking ultra-low head stable operation below 200m, to the Jurong station setting a domestic record for maximum head variation—HEC Motor has deeply cultivated pumped storage technologies across "high, low, wide, large, and variable" spectrums, repeatedly setting records. Relying on the Zhongdong and Tai'an Phase II projects, it took the lead domestically in researching variable-speed units. Currently, HEC has participated in the R&D of 283 pumped storage units across 72 stations, with a total capacity of 86.418GW, firmly ranking first in domestic market share. In November 2025, HEC won the bid for the Kamchay Pumped Storage Project in Cambodia, marking the first time Chinese pumped storage equipment entered the international market.
In gas and coal power, HEC empowers the new energy system with clean, highly efficient, flexible, safe, and smart solutions. In May 2024, the Ningzhou Gas Turbine Generator Set—China's first 9HA.02 gas-steam combined cycle cogeneration unit involving HEC—was successfully commissioned. In June 2025, a next-generation million-kilowatt-class steam turbine generator was put into operation at the Xinjiang Huadian Hami Coal-Power Project, enhancing grid reliability during deep and frequent peak-shaving under the innovative flexibility technology for China's first "Desert & Gobi" mega-power base. In May of this year, the domestic largest fully air-cooled 400MW steam turbine generator was smoothly shipped from Xinjiang Kekdala, providing an original technical solution for upgrading next-generation large-capacity fully air-cooled generators. In nuclear power, from the world's first fourth-generation Shidaowan Nuclear Power Plant to the Huaneng Taipingling and Guohet一号 Bailing nuclear plants, HEC's nuclear generators continue to solidify the "hardcore support" for China's nuclear power ambitions.
Focusing on the "New": HEC successfully developed safety series short-circuit test generators ranging from 135MV to 6500MV, becoming the only domestic enterprise with world-leading independent design capabilities in this field. It innovatively developed fully air-cooled new-type, distributed renewable energy, high-inertia energy storage, and cylindrical distributed phase modifiers, building a full-sequence product line from 10Mvar to 300Mvar. By providing differentiated cooling and integrated solutions, it precisely matches customized demands of renewable energy grids. Additionally, it independently developed China's first 300MVA vertical pulse generator, supplying ultra-high-power pulsed power for the HL-2M tokamak (China's experimental fusion reactor).
Digital and Intelligent Transformation Empowering New Growth: Writing a New Chapter in Industrial Upgrading
Core Reading: As a frontrunner in power equipment manufacturing, HEC Motor is steadfastly pursuing its transformation into a "Three-Type Enterprise" (Equipment Manufacturer, System Integrator, and Operation & Maintenance Service Provider). It is systematically reconstructing its R&D, manufacturing, and management models to accelerate the cultivation of "New Quality Productive Forces." The remarkable achievements behind this are a vivid testament to digital and intelligent transformation revitalizing the industry.
Through digital transformation, HEC Motor has reshaped its manufacturing capabilities, achieving a comprehensive leap in end-to-end digitalization. It has built industry-leading digital workshops for coils, stamping, control, and welding, alongside digitalized units for hydro, steam, and cold-working. Industry-first technologies such as coil digital twins, fully automated stamping lines, and robotic welding of thick steel plates have been applied at scale, boosting manufacturing capabilities by over 30% compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period, providing a replicable "HEC Solution" for the industry.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, HEC Motor's newly signed contracts, operating revenue, and total profits grew by 112%, 63%, and 882% respectively compared to the previous plan period. A cumulative total of 143 hydro units and 165 steam/gas units were commissioned. Annual hydropower production capacity surged to 20GW, while steam power capacity leaped to 40GW, witnessing the continuous blossoming of traditional manufacturing transforming into "Smart Manufacturing."
Deepening the "Three-Type Enterprise" Strategy to Climb the High End of the Value Chain. Strictly implementing the "Six Guarantees," HEC is extending its reach from equipment manufacturing toward system integration and O&M services, exploring new industrial frontiers.
- Extending as a System Integrator: Building a full-lifecycle EPC management system for hydro-electromechanical projects, offering one-stop "Technology + Management + Service" solutions. Innovating phase modifier system integration by developing smart, modular systems, and unattended technologies to safeguard renewable energy stations. Launching core control equipment covering holographic monitoring and intelligent upgrades to empower digital transformation and stable operation.
- Upgrading as an O&M Service Provider: Leveraging core technologies and intelligent maintenance decision-making to establish an internal circulation system coordinating market and execution. Setting up green channels with professional teams and rapid response mechanisms to boost customer satisfaction, driving the business transition from "single-product supply" to "full-lifecycle integrated services" and iterating into high-value-added fields.
Driven by digital and intelligent transformation, HEC Motor's labor productivity increased by 31%, product development cycles shortened by 33%, and per capita sales rose by 61%. Green manufacturing is advancing concurrently. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, HEC eliminated 303 high-energy-consuming motors and transformers, generated over 1 million kWh of green electricity via distributed photovoltaics, obtained the first carbon management system certification in the domestic electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing sector, and was recognized as a "Leader" in China's Industrial Carbon Peaking initiative.
