The project, a run-of-the-river scheme, is located on the River Indus adjacent to Jinnah Barrage in Mianwali district. The overall completion of the project, expected by mid-2012, will generate about 688 million units of electricity and yielding an estimated benefit of Rs6 billion annually.
The project is a component of a least-cost energy generation plan being implemented by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). The objective of the plan is to improve the ratio of low-cost hydel electricity in the national grid to stabilise the overall tariff in the system.
Currently, hydel energy’s share in overall energy mix is almost 32% while the average tariff for hydel electricity is Rs1.54 per unit against overall average tariff of about Rs9 per unit.
Wapda is implementing as many as seven projects, with a cumulative capacity of about 1,500MW. Of these, five projects of 400MW will be completed in 2012. The 4,500MW Diamer-Bhasha Dam and the 84MW Kurram-Tangi Dam have also been initiated. Construction on the 1,410MW Tarbela 4th Extension and the 7,100MW Bunji Hydropower Project will begin soon as detailed engineering designs of the two projects are almost complete. The detailed engineering design of the 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is also in progress, while the consultancy contract for the 740MW Munda Dam will be awarded next month.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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It's never too late. Green energy is the way of the future yet it's costly to setup yet cheaper to run. PK needs to diversify it energy sources and move away from fossil fuel that's expensive & destructive. Given the dire energy situation in PK, I support the nuclear option(peaceful use).
I would like to pint out though that Australia is leading the world in green energy industry. Our Govt recently brought in Carbon Tax for polluting industries. On principal we do not use nuclear option.
Anyways its never too late to build dams.
If Kalabagh is still disputed, we can always build Basha Dam and other big dams. But this requires 10 years and we only look for short term solutions. So enjoy load shedding !
Electricity is a luxury whereas water is a necessity for life. Without water life will not exist. Kalabagh location is almost perfect for a dam and if built will provide both water and electricity to millions of people across the country. Of course people from catchment areas have to be relocated but look at suffering that masses across the country are facing today.
With growth in population and global warming suffering of masses will multiply in the future. India can foresee shortage of water in next decade and is building as many dams as it can. Whereas in Pakistan, ploiticians, instead of those was has technical knowledge and can make decisions based on facts, are playing with plight of the whole nation.
@TRUTH_SEEKER: @WAH PHADA: Why is it that Punjabis are quick to blame those of us in the rest of Pakistan who don't agree with any policy as Indian agents. As a Sindhi, I can decide for myself as can the rest of the province's population. We don't need any leaders to tell us what is or isn't in our interest. Sindhi and KP leaders who oppose the dam are reflecting the people's views. Kalabagh dam will turn lower Sindh into a desert. No damn way will Sindhis support it.
Don't make Kalabagh and get flooded out every year.
More dams please.
It is a crying shame to call a hydro-power project an alternative energy project.India has built a large number of dams on rivers allocated to Pakistan while Pakistan has constructed only two since singing Indus River Basin Water Treaty depriving its citizens from a huge cheap source of energy with multifarious benefits.Enemies of Pakistan and their agent provocation are responsible for this shameful state of affairs.The real beneficiaries of Kalabag Dam are people of Sindh and KP but their short-sighted politicians and bureaucrats and current Chairman of WAPDA in their Punjab-bashing zeal are playing into Indian hands..