CWE (China International Water & Electric Corp.)

What CWE (China International Water & Electric Corp.) does

China International Water & Electric Corp. (CWE) is a Beijing-headquartered state-owned international infrastructure contractor specializing in water conservancy, hydropower, and clean-energy projects. Founded in the 1950s as the foreign aid arm of the Ministry of Water and Electric Power and reorganized in 1983, CWE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Communications Construction Group (CCCG), one of China's largest state-owned conglomerates. Across 70+ years of international operations, CWE has delivered more than 800 projects in over 80 countries spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas, and has held ENR TOP 250 International Contractor status for 34 consecutive years.

CWE's product portfolio spans four segments: hydraulic complexes (dams, dikes, flood control, water supply, irrigation), electric power (hydropower stations under BOOT/BOT models, power transmission and transformation), clean energy (solar PV, wind, and pumped storage), and infrastructure services (ports, waterways, highways, bridges). Underlying capabilities include BIM-based digital project lifecycle management and full industry-chain services from investment through construction to long-term operation. Technology is delivered to Chinese standards with Chinese-manufactured electromechanical equipment, which functions as both a cost lever and a strategic export channel.

The business model combines three revenue streams: large-scale EPC contracts (typically multi-year, quote-based, won through competitive bidding), BOOT/BOT project investments that generate recurring power sales and asset-operation cash flow, and ongoing O&M services for completed assets. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeted at ministries of energy, finance, and infrastructure, plus national utilities, primarily accessed through Belt and Road Initiative frameworks and bilateral government agreements; distribution relies on direct engagement rather than third-party channels. AAA credit rating, BRI-aligned state financing, and partnerships with China Three Gorges International and the China-LAC Cooperation Fund underpin the capital structure.

Name

CWE (China International Water & Electric Corp.)

Legal name

China International Water & Electric Corp.

Website

https://english.cwe.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CWE is a Beijing-headquartered Chinese state-owned international contractor delivering hydropower, water infrastructure, and clean-energy projects for sovereign clients across 80+ countries. It operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCCG under a full industry-chain model spanning EPC contracting, BOOT/BOT investment, and asset O&M.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrastructure Construction

NAICS

Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900)

akta.pro primary industry

Hydro Balance-of-Plant EPC (Penstocks, Gates, Intake/Outfall, Auxiliaries) (EUAEADAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil & Site Works EPC (Earthworks, Roads, Drainage, Foundations) (EUAEADAA), Construction Management & General Contracting (EPCM, Scheduling, QA/QC, HSE) (EUAMAFAJ)

Keywords

• International infrastructure contracting
• Hydropower engineering services
• Water conservancy construction
• Clean energy EPC
• Transmission infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Construction Contracting: EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) contracts for water, hydropower, clean energy and infrastructure projects worldwide. Major projects include dams, hydropower stations, flood control systems, solar PV, wind power, and transmission lines.
2. BOOT/BOT Project Investment and Operation: Build-Own-Operate-Transfer and Build-Operate-Transfer arrangements where CWE invests in, constructs, and operates projects for defined periods before transferring to host governments. Generates recurring revenue from power generation and infrastructure operation.
3. Asset Operation and Maintenance: Ongoing operation and maintenance services for completed hydropower stations and infrastructure assets, including technical support for national grids and power systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CWE is an international EPC contractor that invests in, designs, builds, and operates water, electric power, and clean energy infrastructure projects worldwide. Its core business spans hydropower station development (BOT/BOOT models), hydraulic complexes (dams, dikes, flood control, irrigation), power transmission and transformation, solar PV and wind power plants, pumped storage, and ancillary infrastructure such as ports, highways, and bridges. CWE delivers full industry-chain services from feasibility and investment through construction, commissioning, and ongoing operation and maintenance for government and utility clients.

Product overview

China International Water & Electric Corp. (CWE) is a world-class contractor offering integrated services for water, electric power, and clean energy works. The company's product portfolio encompasses four core business segments: Water (hydraulic complex, dikes, dams, flood control, water supply, irrigation), Electric Power (hydropower stations via BOT/BOOT models, power transmission and transformation), Clean Energy (photovoltaic, wind power, and pumped storage), and Infrastructure (ports, waterways, highways, bridges). CWE operates across the full industry chain from investment through construction to operation, delivering landmark projects globally including the Souapiti Hydroelectric Project (450MW, Guinea), Merowe Dam (Sudan), San Gabán III Hydropower Project (209.3MW, Peru), Zhangye Pumped Storage Power Plant (1,400MW, China), and 780MW Solar PV Project (Algeria). The company holds ENR TOP 250 International Contractor ranking for 34 consecutive years.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hydropower Station Development
• Hydraulic Complex Construction
• Power Transmission and Transformation
• Photovoltaic Power Generation
• Wind Power Generation
• Pumped Storage Power Plants
• Infrastructure Services (Ports, Highways, Bridges)
• BOOT/BOT Hydropower Project Investment and Operation
• La Mesa Reservoir Project
• Merowe Dam (Sudan)

Quantifiable outcome

• Projects completed in over 80 countries and regions
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Foodlink Foundation (Hong Kong)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2025Joint community outreach initiative with CWE Hong Kong volunteer team, distributing care packages to underprivileged elderly in Kwun Tong Community.
• Kazakhstan National Energy CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2024Signed cooperation agreement during Second Central Asia-China Industrial and Investment Cooperation Forum for energy infrastructure collaboration.
• China Foreign Languages Publishing AdministrationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 April 2024Co-organizer of 5th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Art & Design Award, promoting cultural exchange and brand visibility in the region.
• Beijing MW FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 April 2024Co-organizer of Lancang-Mekong Book House Project and Art & Design Award, supporting educational and cultural exchange activities.
• Laos Polytechnic CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2023Signed cooperation agreement to establish 'Hydropower Industry Internship Base' for Laotian students, providing hands-on training at Nam Lik 1-2 Hydropower Station.
• China Three Gorges International LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint investment in San Gabán III Hydropower Project in Peru with China Three Gorges Corporation subsidiary, marking the first hydropower station invested in by Chinese enterprises in Peru.
• Confucius Institute at UGANCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation for selecting and training technical personnel in Guinea, supporting local workforce development in hydropower operations.
• Pak Ngua School (Laos)minorOthersRecipient of Lancang-Mekong Book House Project donations including 2,380 textbooks, water purifiers, chairs, and blackboards.
• Samruk-Kazyna (Kazakhstan Sovereign Wealth Fund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeeting with CEO Nurlan Zhakupov to discuss flagship projects and strategic alignment for China-Kazakhstan partnership development.
• China Communications Construction Group Company Limited (CCCG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and wholly-owned subsidiary relationship. CWE operates as subsidiary of CCCG for water, electric, and clean energy projects internationally.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• VINCI Construction: VINCI is a major French global construction and concessions group with significant hydropower, water infrastructure, and energy EPC operations, competing with CWE for international tenders and project finance-backed concessions.
• China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC): CSCEC is the world's largest construction contractor by revenue, with global operations across infrastructure, energy, and real estate — competing for major international tenders and offering overlapping EPC capabilities to CWE's customer base.
• Strabag SE: Strabag is a major European construction group with international infrastructure and water engineering capabilities, competing with CWE in selected international tenders and operating a similar large-project EPC business model.
• China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC): CRCC is one of China's largest state-owned construction conglomerates, with significant international infrastructure operations competing for the same government tenders as CWE across BRI markets, though focused more on rail and transport than water/hydro.

Direct peers

• PowerChina (Sinohydro): PowerChina/Sinohydro is China's largest hydropower EPC contractor and the most direct competitor to CWE, delivering similar dam, hydro station, and renewable energy projects internationally with overlapping customer base of sovereign clients.
• China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC): CHEC is a sister company under the same parent CCCG, focused on marine, port, and infrastructure EPC internationally — directly comparable business model, customer base, and Belt and Road go-to-market motion as CWE.
• Voith Hydro: Voith Hydro is a leading global supplier of hydro equipment and services, comparable to CWE's hydro delivery capability and competing in the same international hydro EPC and modernization market.
• Andritz AG: Andritz is a global supplier of turbines, generators, and service solutions for hydropower plants — directly comparable in serving hydro EPC end-markets, frequently as equipment partner or competitor when developers procure integrated solutions.
• China Three Gorges Corporation: CTGC is China's largest hydropower operator and a co-investor with CWE in the San Gabán III Hydropower Project. While primarily an operator/owner, it competes for BOOT/BOT hydro projects and is a key strategic partner-cum-competitor.
• China Gezhouba Group Company: China Gezhouba is a major Chinese state-owned EPC contractor specializing in hydropower and water conservancy projects globally (builder of the Three Gorges Dam), competing head-to-head with CWE for international hydro tenders and BRI contracts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CWE_Lao
• Facebookfacebook.com/CWE.lao
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cwe-beijing

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CWE (China International Water & Electric Corp.)