NHI Headlines
'Tiangong' breaks four industry records and lead the creation of new heights in ultra deep vertical shafts
On December 7th 2025, with the precise excavation of the last section of the rock wall, the deepest vertical shaft in the pumped storage industry, the 637m No.1 intake shaft of Zhejiang Songyang Pumped Storage Power Station, was fully connected. Behind this milestone achievement is the meticulous organization of the Three Gorges Construction Industry, and the result of the strong cooperation and joint efforts of the Sinohydro Bureau 12 Co.,Ltd, Wuhan Heavy Industry of China Power Construction, and Northern Heavy Industry. The first domestically produced ultra deep vertical shaft full section reaming hard rock excavation machine "Tiangong" manufactured by Northern Heavy Industries demonstrates the top strength of China's equipment manufacturing with a hardcore performance of "Double brushing industry standards, breaking industry records four times ".
As the core construction equipment of the water diversion system of Songyang Pumped Storage Power Station, the "Tiangong" manufactured by Northern Heavy Industries undertakes the entire excavation task. Integrating the technical accumulation of years of deep cultivation in heavy equipment manufacturing by Northern Heavy Industries, this equipment has achieved multiple key breakthroughs in the construction of ultra deep vertical shafts: the inclination of the slag chute is 0.216 ‰, the maximum deviation of the expanded well is 6 millimeters, and it meets industry standards twice; The maximum daily advance of the expanded well was 20.18 meters, the maximum monthly advance was 236.96 meters, and the monthly average advance was 204.98 meters. The 540 meter ultra deep vertical shaft was safely completed in 75 days, breaking four industry records.
During the 75 day construction period, the "Tiangong" demonstrated excellent stability and efficiency, shortening the construction period by 20 days to safely complete the 540 meter ultra deep water diversion shaft. What is particularly commendable is that the key core components of the equipment have achieved 100% localization, independent and controllable, marking that Northern Heavy Industry's research and development and manufacturing capabilities in the field of "self-reliance and intelligence" of heavy equipment have reached the international advanced level.
The successful application of the "Tiangong" is a vivid practice of Northern Heavy Industry's implementation of the "innovation driven, intelligent manufacturing strong country" strategy. The machining accuracy of the core components of the "Tiangong" is controlled at the micrometer level, ensuring stable operation of the equipment in extreme environments under ultra deep wells. During the construction period, Northern Heavy Industries established a special service team consisting of 12 technical backbones to provide 24-hour on-site support for equipment installation, commissioning, and operation and maintenance services, using an integrated model of "manufacturing+service" to escort the progress of the project.
It is reported that the "Tiangong" has completed the construction task of the No. 1 vertical shaft and will soon dismantle the machine and move to the No. 2 water diversion vertical shaft to continue operations. Northern Heavy Industries will continue to adhere to the concept of "safety, efficiency, quality, and innovation", providing stronger equipment support for the early realization of the first unit power generation of Songyang Pumped Storage Power Station and assisting the high-quality development of China's pumped storage industry. The successful completion of this ultra deep shaft not only verifies the leading position of Northern Heavy Industries in the field of large-scale special equipment manufacturing, but also marks a major breakthrough in the construction technology, equipment upgrading, and intelligent construction level of ultra deep shafts in China's hydropower industry, adding a new business card to "China's intelligent manufacturing".