Neelum-Jhelum to produce power at full capacity from April

Awaits complete inspection of electro-mechanical equipment

LAHORE: The Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power project is gearing up for electricity generation at full capacity in the upcoming high-flow season, which is set to begin from April this year.

“The project has been running for the past almost eight months. It is now awaiting a thorough inspection of electro-mechanical equipment in accordance with contractual obligations,” said a statement issued on Saturday.



The inspection will be led by consultants and the contractor hired to work on the project. The low water flow season has been specifically selected for carrying out the thorough inspection.

The Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power project went into operation after the commissioning of its first unit on April 13, 2018.

All four units of the project started operation in a phased manner by August 14, 2018. Since its commissioning, according to the statement, the project has so far injected over 1.8 billion units (kilowatt-hour) into the national grid.

The low-flow period for Neelum River runs from September to March, after which it will provide the required 280 cubic metres of water per second to fuel the four units of the Neelum-Jhelum project.

The slowest flow of water in the river is recorded in January which is why the month has been chosen to conduct the inspection of draft tubes, flap gates, 3.5km underground tailrace, surge shaft, generating units and auxiliary equipment.



The Neelum-Jhelum power house will remain shut from January 5 to February 2, 2019 - 29 days - after which it will again go into operation.

“Since the Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power project is complete, its annual energy production is expected to reach the planned 4.6 billion units during 2019,” the statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2019.

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