Neelum-Jhelum project: First unit to start power production by Feb 2018

Filling of water reservoir to begin in October this year

LAHORE: The strategically important Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power project is fast heading towards completion and is scheduled to start electricity generation with the commissioning of the first production unit by February 2018.

The project’s board of management briefed Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lieutenant General (Retired) Muzammil Hussain about the progress during a meeting. Board Chairman Peter Mason and its members attended the meeting, says a statement issued on Friday.



Speaking on the occasion, the Wapda chairman expressed satisfaction over the progress on the hydroelectric power project, adding despite the delay of years and cost overrun, the project would finally see the light of the day because of extraordinary commitment and professional excellence on the part of Wapda and project team members.

He directed the project management that the pace of work should continue with the same zeal in order to complete the project in accordance with the timeline.

Earlier, the meeting was briefed that the filling of water in the project reservoir would start in October, the waterway system under which tunnels would divert water from the dam to the power house would be completed by the end of December, pressurising of the waterway system would start in January 2018 while wet testing and commissioning of power generating units would commence in February 2018.

The Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power project comprises four generating units with a cumulative capacity of 969 megawatts.

The first unit will start electricity generation by February 2018, the second unit in mid-March 2018 whereas the third and fourth units will be completed in April 2018.



On its completion, the project will contribute about five billion units of electricity to the national grid every year. Annual revenue from the project is estimated at Rs45 billion.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2017.

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