Highest-ever production: Hydel power stations generate 34.7b units in 2019

Work on Mohmand Dam starts five decades after Tarbela Dam

LAHORE: The year 2019 turned out to be a historic one for the development of water and hydroelectric power resources in Pakistan.

A record high hydel electricity was generated and supplied to the national grid during the year, besides start of construction work on Mohmand Dam in May after five decades, said Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) in a statement on Friday.

The hydel power stations owned and operated by Wapda provided 34.678 billion units of electricity - the highest-ever contribution of clean energy - to the system in 2019. It was higher by 6.321 billion units compared to last year when 28.357 billion units were supplied.

The optimal operation of three hydroelectric power projects, completed last year in a phased manner, proved to be a good omen for hydel generation in the country. These projects alone generated 9.372 billion units cumulatively in 2019.

Hydel power production hits historic high

This includes 4.741 billion units from the Tarbela 4th Extension project, 4.519 billion units from the Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power project and 0.111 billion units from the Golen Gol hydroelectric power project.

The rest of the hydel electricity was contributed by other power stations with Tarbela power stations contributing 10.831 billion units, Ghazi-Barotha 6.594 billion units, Mangla 4.005 billion units and others 3.986 billion units.

"Hydroelectric power is the cheapest and most environment-friendly source of electricity. The contribution of Wapda's hydel electricity to the system greatly helped the country in meeting electricity needs and stabilising the electricity tariff for consumers during the year," Wapda said.

In addition to the record high hydel electricity generation in 2019, targets for the construction of mega dams were also achieved to stave off a looming water crisis in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2019.

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