Govt to tap K-P’s hydropower potential

CM says ongoing projects will resolve power crisis

PESAHWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that the government has been working under a well devised strategy to take full advantage of hydropower potential in the province.

He added that completion of ongoing projects in K-P would address power crisis at the national level, provide electricity to local people at cheaper rates and generate revenue for the province.

He was chairing the 11th meeting of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) policy board.

The participants were briefed on the annual performance of PEDO and informed that the body is engaged in all-round efforts for the production of low cost hydropower in the province which has become a major source of income. More than Rs43 billion have been generated in revenue so far whereas the federal government also owes over Rs10 billion to PEDO.

It was revealed that, seven projects with a total capacity of 161 megawatts have been completed so far, which generate an annual revenue of Rs5 billion. Moreover, seven additional hydropower projects are near completion which will generate 224 megawatt electricity collectively as revenue of Rs4 billion is expected from these projects annually.

The forum was appraised that PEDO has successfully converted the civil secretariat, Chief Minister House and chief minister secretariat to solar system by harnessing environment-friendly sources of energy production.

Similarly, 4,440 mosques, 8,000 schools and 187 primary health centres of the province have also been transferred to solar energy, while 13 solar mini-grids are being established to promote trade activities in the newly merged districts.

Besides, 316 mini micro hydel stations have been completed in backward areas of the province, which are generating around 29 megawatt electricity being provided to local people at cheaper rates.

Similarly, 220 more mini micro hydel power stations will be established in the second phase which will generate 45 megawatt electricity.

The forum was also informed that recently 10MW Jabori Hydropower Project in Mansehra has been successfully completed while physical work has also been initiated on 300MW Balakot Hydropower Project.

Likewise, 40 MW Koto and 11MW Karora hydro power projects are also under completion.

Other ongoing projects of PEDO include 84MW Mataltan Hydropower Project in Swat, 69MW Lavi Hydropower Project in Chitral, 6.9MW Barando hydro power Project in Torghar and 10.5MW Chapri Charkhel Hydropower Project in Kurram district which on completion will generate substantial revenue for the province.

The meeting was informed that foundation stone of 157MW Madyan and 88MW Gabral Kalam hydropower projects would be laid very soon. CM said that the completion of ongoing energy projects will prove to be a game changer.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2022.