K-P completes three hydropower projects, eyes Rs4.4bn annual revenue

The projects include the 40.8MW Koto hydropower project, the 11.8MW Karora project, and the 10.2MW Jabori project

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has completed three hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 63 megawatts using its own resources, a move expected to generate Rs4.4 billion in annual revenue for the province, Express News reported.

The projects were completed during the current year and include the 40.8MW Koto hydropower project in Lower Dir, the 11.8MW Karora project in Shangla, and the 10.2MW Jabori project in Mansehra.

Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed disclosed the details while chairing a review meeting at PEDO House on the progress of seven ongoing hydropower projects in the province.

He said work had also been accelerated on a 40-kilometre transmission line along the Swat corridor, which is expected to be completed next year. Once completed, the transmission infrastructure will enable the sale of low-cost electricity to the province’s industrial sector, he added.

Briefing the meeting, Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO) Chief Executive Habibullah Shah said several large hydropower projects were under various stages of development.

These include the 300MW Balakot project in Mansehra, 157MW Madain project in Swat, 88MW Gabrial project in Kalam, 84MW Matiltan project in Swat, 69MW Lawi project in Chitral, and the 6.9MW Mujahideen hydropower project in Torghar.

The energy secretary expressed strong displeasure over slow progress on three flagship energy projects in Swat district, which are expected to collectively produce 330MW of electricity. He said deadlines had been set to begin power generation from these projects within the next two years.

“Any further delay will be unacceptable,” he warned, directing project directors to ensure completion within the stipulated timelines.

Ahmed emphasised teamwork among PEDO officials, saying the energy department was monitoring the physical progress of all ongoing projects on a daily basis through Gantt charts under the provincial government’s good governance roadmap.

He described the 40-kilometre-long 132/220kV transmission line project from Matiltan to Madain as critically important and directed that it be completed within the next year.

The secretary also instructed the newly appointed project director of the 300MW Balakot hydropower project to further accelerate work on what is the province’s largest energy scheme.

During the meeting, Ahmed issued additional directives aimed at improving transparency in PEDO’s administrative affairs.