K-P to set up two hydro power plants

The National Economic Council’s Executive Committee has granted approval for establishment of Madayan and Gabral hydro power projects.

This was disclosed during a meeting of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Energy and Power Department. K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan presided over the meeting.

Briefing the meeting, Advisor to chief minsiter on Energy and Power, Himayatullah Khan said that the 157 megawatt Madayan, 88 megawatt Gabral hydro power projects would be executed under the K-P Hydro Power and Renewable Energy Programme.

The work on 300 megawatt Balakot hydro power project will begin next year, the meeting was told.

It was further informed that 94 per cent work on Jabori Hydro Power Project in Mansehra has been completed and the remaining work would be completed by the end of the year. The project will generate over 71 megawatt electricity annually.

Similarly, 88 per cent work on Karora Hydro Power Project in Shangla has been completed and the remaining work would be completed by January next year. The adviser on energy and power further informed that 85 per cent work has been completed on 40 megawatt Kotu Hydro Power Project in Lower Dir.

CM Mahmood said that the provincial government was working on a number of mega hydro power projects which would not only help overcome the energy crises in the province but would also boost industrial and economic activities in the province.

The chief minister directed for timely completion of all ongoing power projects.

The meeting also informed that the newly established K-P Transmission and Grid System Company has been formally registered with the Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. The company has been set up with the aim to have a separate and independent transmission and grid infrastructure of the provincial government for the supply of locally produced electricity to the local industries, special economic zones and other commercial consumers on cheaper rates.

Regarding the micro hydel power projects, it was told that in the first phase 307 projects has been completed in 11 districts of the province. These power projects would generate 25, 000 kilowatt whereas 672 micro hydel power projects would be started in the second phase.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2020.