Project on "Key Technologies and Applications of Energy-Field-Assisted Composite Laser Manufacturing for Large Components" Wins Second Prize of the National Award for Science and Technology Progress

On July 8, the 2025 National Science and Technology Awards Conference was held in Beijing. The project entitled "Key Technologies and Applications of Multi-Energy-Field Composite Laser Manufacturing for Large Components", a key initiative involving deep participation from China Yangtze Power Co., Ltd. ("CYPC"), was awarded the Second Prize of the National Award for Science and Technology Progress. As one of China's highest honors in science and technology, this award recognizes the Company's dedication to innovative R&D in hydropower equipment and its significant breakthroughs in key industrial technologies.

Targeting the manufacturing requirements of national high-end major equipment covering hydropower, nuclear power and marine vessels, the project pioneered the theoretical framework of multi-energy-field composite laser manufacturing for large components. It has connected the full innovation chain ranging from basic research and technological development to complete set equipment development and industrial achievement commercialization, forming a complete, mature system of equipment and technologies for multi-energy-field composite laser manufacturing. Breaking the bottlenecks restricting the forming and performance regulation capacity of single laser processes, the project has triggered a technological transformation in high-performance manufacturing of large components, further consolidating China's world-leading edge in composite laser manufacturing.

As one of the participating R&D entities of the project, CYPC undertook research into the application of laser cladding technology in the hydropower industry and supplied typical industrial application scenarios for laser manufacturing technologies of large metal components. Back in 2017, the Overhaul and Maintenance Factory (OMF) under CYPC pioneered the adoption of laser cladding technology for hydropower unit maintenance, and developed a full suite of technologies and equipment for in-situ laser cladding of hydropower facilities under confined working conditions. Capable of performing 360° restoration in confined spaces such as turbine runner chambers, this technology effectively resolves long-standing industry challenges such as space restrictions and poor accessibility. The solution enhances the equipment's anti-cavitation performance by over 200% and anti-abrasion performance by more than 800%, with key performance parameters attaining world-leading standards. To date, the technology has been deployed on 29 generating units along the world's largest clean energy corridor. It substantially curtails economic losses caused by unit shutdowns and cuts O&M costs, markedly extending the service life and power generation reliability of giant hydropower units, and delivering robust technical underpinnings for the secure, stable operation of major hydropower hubs.

Moving forward, CYPC will fully implement President Xi Jinping's important expositions on scientific and technological innovation. Centered on its core businesses and primary responsibilities, the Company will keep intensifying research on core hydropower technologies, accelerate the popularization and industrial application of landmark innovations including laser cladding, and translate technological strengths into competitive development edges. Driven by high-level sci-tech self-reliance and self-improvement, CYPC will safeguard the safe and stable operation of strategic national assets.