Government determined to complete project on time: Sher Ali. PHOTO: FILE
MIRPUR: Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali said that the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)-based Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project an important one for generation of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity in the country.
“The government is making concrete efforts towards completion the project of national significance on time,” said Ali during his visit to the 969MW Neelum-Jhelum project in AJK.
He said that the government was exploring all possible avenues to solve the energy crisis under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“It is his utmost desire to provide maximum relief to the common man by way of availability of affordable electricity,” said Ali while adding that optimum development of renewable sources of energy was being focused by the government which includes hydel, coal, wind, solar and biomass.
He said that the country possessed an identified potential of more than 60,000 MW of hydropower generation, adding that the phased induction of this potential would even out the energy mix, lower power tariff and provide relief to the common man.
Meanwhile, speaking about the Diamer Basha Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project, he said that the work on both projects would commence together with Bunji Hydropower Project.
“All these projects would add a total of 15,000 MW of cheap and environment-friendly electricity to the national grid,” said Ali.
Expressing his satisfaction at the pace of work, Ali claimed the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project will start generating power by the end of 2015.
Wapda Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah briefed the minister concerning the progress on the project. He assured earnest efforts to complete the project in line with the directions of the prime minister.
Shah said that upon completion, the Neelum-Jhelum Project would contribute 5.15 billion units of cheap electricity to the national grid and the annual benefits accruing from the project have been estimated at Rs45 billion.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2013.
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@MM HUSSAIN: i am tired of people getting it wrong nandipur isnt a hydro project. its gas turbine
@Lobster: it means units and proof is available on wapda site. tarbela dam produces usually around 15 billion units while our total requirement is 80 billion units
Build Kalabagh Dam
I am fed up from reading and listening wishful statement given by our leaders regarding completion of Neelum -Jhelum hydropower project on time since last 6-7 years. However, ground realities negate their statements. During his address to the nation on August 19, 2013, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif regretted the corruption, inefficiency and wastage of national wealth on two massive hydropower projects i.e. 425 MW Nandipur Power Project and 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Power Project and vowed to complete these national projects.
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is according great importance to complete of these two projects by not only visiting the project site immediately after taking over as Prime Minister but also directed the authorities concerned to ensure completion of project one year ahead of schedule. The Neelum-Jhelum project’s early completion is of immense importance to Pakistan to avoid a permanent loss of Rs. 30-35 billion per annum for ever if failed to construct before India i.e. loss of water storage priority right as per Indus Water Treaty. Moreover, this project will start producing about 1000 MW cheap electricity within tenure of his government to reduce load-shedding bringing hope.
Unfortunately, Ministry of Finance has failed to keep pace with the desire of The Prime Minister. The completion of this project on schedule or before schedule is totally dependent on timely provision of funds and NOT on wishful thinking. According to news published in various newspapers no payments have been made to the contractors of the said project in last 02 years. This national project is facing serious issues and has already lost more than 02 year’s precious time due to non-funding by previous government and present government. It is very sad to write that present government has failed to release funds for this national project after passage of 06 months. It is very unfortunate that funds have been issued to new and less important projects at the cost of Neelum-Jhelum project. Therefore, I appeal to Prime Minister to provide funds to save the project on emergency basis, otherwise what will be difference between our government ( I voted for him) and previous governments.
Tarbela dam is expired already and running on Gravy but govt has no future vision ....
5.15b amount of Energy? ET at least proof read once