NJ station to resume generation by end-July

Project contributed over 18b units of electricity before blockade

ISLAMABAD:

Efforts are underway at the Neelum Jhelum hydel power station to complete the necessary remedial works in the tail race tunnel, with the aim of resuming electricity generation by the end of next month. Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), was briefed on the progress during his visit to the project site.

During the visit, the WAPDA chairman inspected the 3.5kilometer long tail race tunnel, focusing on the affected section. The consultants provided a detailed update on the rehabilitation works, highlighting that concrete lining was being applied to the collapsed area, which had caused the tunnel to become blocked. The remaining affected portion is also being strengthened using lattice girders, rock bolting, and shotcrete application. The contractor is working round-the-clock to ensure the remedial works comply with international consultant guidelines.

Ghani emphasised the importance of completing the remedial works within the designated timeline while maintaining the structural integrity of the project. He urged the project team to prioritise these efforts to enable the restart of the hydel power station by the end of next month.

Following his visit, the WAPDA chairman chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Company at the project site. BOD members also had the opportunity to inspect the power house and the tunnel.

The Neelum Jhelum project, with a capacity of 969 MW, commenced electricity generation in April 2018. Before the tail race tunnel blockade occurred last year, the project had contributed over 18 billion units of electricity to the national grid.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2023.

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