K-P govt executing 42 electricity projects
The Nepra chairman said that overbilling had deprived consumers of the benefit of tariff slabs. pHOTO: fILE
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Secretary Energy and Power Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah has said the problems faced with the Centre in some energy projects will be resolved on top priority basis at high-level forums.
He said that the energy sector is very important for the province.
He expressed these views while addressing a high-level briefing after taking charge as secretary energy and power.
Chief Executive Energy Department, Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) Engr Naeem Khan told the meeting that currently under the supervision of PEDO, work on 42 electricity projects, both hydro and solar, is underway.
PEDO is a profitable organization of the province which has successfully implemented various hydropower projects so far. Having completed them at a cost of Rs9 billion, the province has earned more than Rs32 billion.
He said that plans are afoot to make PEDO fully developed institution with the support of experts and teamwork.
Moreover, PEDO has successfully completed seven hydropower projects, from which a total of 161 MW of electricity is being generated, which is making an annual income of more than Rs4 billion.
Moreover, 12 projects, including 300 MW Balakot Mansehra, 157 MW Madyen Swat, 88 MW Gabral Kalam, 84 MW Matiltan Swat, 69 MW Lawi Chitral, 40.8 MW Koto Dir, 11.8 MW Karora Shangla, 10.5 MW Chapri Charkhel Kuram and 6.9 MW Mujahideen HPP Torghar projects are being completed at a rapid pace. These schemes will cumulatively generate 778 MW of electricity, which will turn an annual profit of more than Rs45 billion.
Most of these projects are in the final stages of completion. Likewise, the projects of transferring 4,400 mosques, 8,000 schools, 187 basic health units to solar energy have also been successfully completed, which is saving millions of rupees annually to the province in terms of electricity bills.
In addition, 316 mini micro hydel stations have been constructed in 12 districts deprived of the blessings of electricity, from which a total of 29 MW of electricity is being generated and provided by the community, while in the second phase, 291 mini micro hydel stations are being constructed, from which a total of 47 MW of cheap electricity will be generated.
Donor agencies, including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, are also working on several energy projects through private investment.
In the next 10 years, the goal of generating 1,000 megawatts of cheap electricity has been set.
Apart from this, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Transmission and Grid Company (KPT&GC) has been established for the first time to improve the electricity system in the province and to enable the delivery of its own electricity.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2023.