Powering the grid: Generation of hydel electricity hits record high

Units delivered during July amounted to 4.434b, an increase of 19.1% year-on-year


Our Correspondent August 04, 2015
Units delivered during July amounted to 4.434b, an increase of 19.1% year-on-year. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

LAHORE: The hydel power stations delivered 4.434 billion units of low-cost electricity to the national grid in July 2015 - the highest generation in one month and constituted about 41% of the total electricity the country received from all sources.

The hydel-power related statistics were unveiled at a meeting held at the Wapda House. The attendees were briefed on hydel power plant’s enhanced efficiency.

Hydel electricity during July 2015 registered an increase of 19.1% or 711 million units compared to 3.723 billion units generated in July last year. This additional contribution not only helped minimise episodes of load-shedding during July but also decreased the average power tariff.

It was noted in the meeting that in addition to the favourable hydrological conditions, effective operation and consistent maintenance of the hydel power stations are the main contributing factors behind this record generation.

It was told in the meeting that hydroelectric equipment generally has a normal life span of 30 to 35 years on average, but Wapda still operates hydel power stations that are far older. Despite their age, they can still operate at their maximum generation capacities.

In high water months, Tarbela and Mangla are capable of delivering electricity more than their installed capacities. During July this year, Tarbela generated up to 3,606MW against its installed capacity of 3,478MW, while Mangla went up to 1,115 MW against its installed capacity of 1,000 MW. It was told that foreign manufacturers of turbines, who visit Wapda hydel power stations, are surprised by the effective operation and maintenance of the hydel machinery.

It is worth noting that Pakistan had two hydel power plants in 1947 that generated a total of 10.7MW worth of power. Chronologically, the first hydel power plant was Sir Ganga Ram Hydel Power Station, which generated 1.1 MW and was commissioned in 1925. The second was Malakand Hydel Power Station, which generated 9.6MW and was commissioned in 1937.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2015.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ