Hydroelectric power production hits record high
It minimised outages and brought down electricity tariff
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
Hydroelectric power stations of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) supplied 33.154 billion units of low-cost electricity in fiscal year 2015-16, which is the highest-ever generation level from this source in the country.
It eclipsed the previous record of 31.5 billion units achieved in 2014-15, says a press release.
Hydroelectric power: WAPDA seeks tariff increase to collect Rs51b
Statistics show the hydroelectric power produced and supplied by Wapda stations to the national grid in FY16 was higher by 1,600 million units, or 5%, when compared with the electricity generated in FY15.
“This additional contribution of hydroelectric power not only helped minimise load-shedding in the country but also brought down electricity tariff,” Wapda said.
Apart from increased water releases from Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs, effective operation and consistent maintenance of the hydel stations were the main contributing factors behind the record electricity production, it said.
Hydroelectric power is the cheapest, cleanest and environment-friendly source of energy that plays a pivotal role in stabilising electricity tariff in the country.
According to data of the Central Power Purchasing Agency about per unit cost of electricity generation from different sources in March 2016, the cost stood at Rs1.94 for hydroelectric power, which was far less than the cost of other sources.
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The cost was Rs8.71 per unit for gas, Rs11.41 for residual furnace oil, Rs18.60 for high-speed diesel, Rs8.98 for IPPs, Rs12.13 for coal, Rs7.27 for nuclear, Rs16.37 for wind, Rs11.90 for bagasse, Rs22.03 for solar and Rs10.53 for electricity import from Iran.
Wapda owns 19 hydel power stations with cumulative generation capacity of 6,902 megawatts - one-third of the total installed capacity in Pakistan.
Hydroelectric power plants all over the world have average life span of 30 to 35 years, but Wapda says it is still successfully operating its power stations, majority of which are far older than their average life.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2016.
Hydroelectric power stations of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) supplied 33.154 billion units of low-cost electricity in fiscal year 2015-16, which is the highest-ever generation level from this source in the country.
It eclipsed the previous record of 31.5 billion units achieved in 2014-15, says a press release.
Hydroelectric power: WAPDA seeks tariff increase to collect Rs51b
Statistics show the hydroelectric power produced and supplied by Wapda stations to the national grid in FY16 was higher by 1,600 million units, or 5%, when compared with the electricity generated in FY15.
“This additional contribution of hydroelectric power not only helped minimise load-shedding in the country but also brought down electricity tariff,” Wapda said.
Apart from increased water releases from Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs, effective operation and consistent maintenance of the hydel stations were the main contributing factors behind the record electricity production, it said.
Hydroelectric power is the cheapest, cleanest and environment-friendly source of energy that plays a pivotal role in stabilising electricity tariff in the country.
According to data of the Central Power Purchasing Agency about per unit cost of electricity generation from different sources in March 2016, the cost stood at Rs1.94 for hydroelectric power, which was far less than the cost of other sources.
Hydroelectric power: NEPRA approves tariff hike to collect Rs70b from consumers
The cost was Rs8.71 per unit for gas, Rs11.41 for residual furnace oil, Rs18.60 for high-speed diesel, Rs8.98 for IPPs, Rs12.13 for coal, Rs7.27 for nuclear, Rs16.37 for wind, Rs11.90 for bagasse, Rs22.03 for solar and Rs10.53 for electricity import from Iran.
Wapda owns 19 hydel power stations with cumulative generation capacity of 6,902 megawatts - one-third of the total installed capacity in Pakistan.
Hydroelectric power plants all over the world have average life span of 30 to 35 years, but Wapda says it is still successfully operating its power stations, majority of which are far older than their average life.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2016.