Hydropower generation: K-P to spend Rs108b on 11 hydel projects

Projects will add 684.6 MW electricity, helping overcome the power crisis.

PESHAWAR:

Taking advantage of the 18th constitutional amendment, which empowered provinces to undertake power and gas projects, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has approved 11 power generation projects worth Rs108.3 billion across the province.

“We have received Rs35 billion on account of hydroelectric generation from the federal government and the remaining Rs75 billion will be paid over the next three years,” K-P Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour told The Express Tribune, adding that the province has a potential to produce more than 35,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The new projects will add 684.6MW of electricity, helping overcome the power crisis in the province. Details of potential projects were outlined in a report submitted to the provincial assembly by the department of power and energy on Monday.

According to the report, the Shushai Zindoli hydro project in Chitral would cost Rs21 billion and would produce 144MW. Two other 201MW powerhousess, Shogo-Sin and Lawi projects, are also proposed to be set up in Chitral. These powerhousess will also be completed at a cost of Rs30 billion.

The 18MW Ranolia hydropower project in Kohistan district will be inaugurated next month. It is expected to cost Rs4 billion. The 2.6MW hydel project in Mardan is proposed for the Machai area, costing Rs1 billion.

Another 36MW powerhouses is planned in Swat’s Daral Khor area and a 31MW project would be set up on the  Punchkora river near Koto in Dir Lower.

The provincial government has asked the power and energy department to prepare a feasibility report of all projects with a potential production capacity between 25 and 350 megawatts.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2011.