CATL(SZ:300750) 3 6 Ke·2026-01-05 01:29Core Viewpoint - The collaboration between State Power Investment Corporation, Sichuan Tieneng Power Development Co., and CATL marks a significant entry of private capital into the hydropower sector, indicating a shift in the energy landscape towards more diverse investment sources [1][11]. Group 1: Project Overview - The newly established company, Guoneng Dadu River (Danba) Hydropower Development Co., will focus on the investment, construction, and operation of the Danba Hydropower Station, which has a total installed capacity of 1.15 million kilowatts and a total dynamic investment of 15.273 billion yuan [1]. - The Danba Hydropower Station is the ninth of 28 hydropower stations on the Dadu River, equipped with four 275,000-kilowatt mixed-flow turbine generator sets and one 50,000-kilowatt ecological generator set [1]. Group 2: Financial Implications - CATL's investment of 458 million yuan represents a financial opportunity, with the project's internal rate of return on capital estimated at 5.95% [2]. - The hydropower sector is characterized by low operational costs after initial high investments, with a typical large hydropower station requiring only a small workforce for maintenance [4]. Group 3: Market Dynamics - The average annual power generation of the Danba Hydropower Station is projected to be 4.718 billion kilowatt-hours, generating approximately 1.403 billion yuan in annual revenue at a tax-inclusive electricity price of 0.2974 yuan per kilowatt-hour [5]. - The average cost of hydropower is significantly lower than that of other energy sources, with a gross profit margin of 66.6% for companies like Yangtze Power, indicating the high profitability potential of hydropower projects [5]. Group 4: Industry Challenges and Trends - Small hydropower stations face several challenges, including management difficulties due to their scattered nature, aging equipment, and low automation levels [7]. - The number of small hydropower stations in China has decreased from over 47,000 in 2017 to about 41,000 by the end of 2022 due to regulatory clean-up efforts [9]. - The upcoming IEC 61116:2025 standard for small hydropower stations will raise industry standards, potentially leading to the exit of non-compliant stations and providing a competitive edge to technically advanced companies [10]. Group 5: Strategic Implications - The partnership between State Power Investment Corporation and CATL reflects a broader trend of integrating hydropower with energy storage solutions, enhancing grid stability and efficiency [10]. - This collaboration may serve as a benchmark for larger energy and solar companies, highlighting the growing role of private capital in the energy transition [11].