ISLAMABAD: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) delivered 31.084 billion units of hydel electricity to the National Grid during the fiscal year 2013-14 as compared to 29.560 billion units in 2012-13, registering an increase of 1.524 billion units.
Officials sources told APP here that the increased hydel contribution was made possible due to efficient operation and maintenance of hydel power stations, availability of more water in the reservoirs and generation from recently completed projects, the raised Mangla Dam in particular.
They said this additional contribution of low-cost hydel electricity by WAPDA helped the national exchequer save an amount of about Rs. 24.38 billion, which otherwise would have been incurred on generating the equivalent quantum of electricity from costly imported oil.
It is worth mentioning that WAPDA, during fiscal year 2013-14, billed Central Power Purchasing Agency (CCPA) for its hydel generation at an average cost of Rs. 1.50 per unit, whereas per unit average generation cost from imported furnace oil is Rs. 16. The government charges consumers at Rs. 11.50 per unit on average.
According to generation data for 2013-14, Tarbela, the largest hydel power station in the country, generated 15.138 billion units during 2013-14
compared to 14.755 billion units in 2012-13. Mangla, after completion of its raising component, generated 5.725 billion units against 4.576 billion units last year.
The remaining quantum of electricity was generated by other hydel power stations during 2013-14.
It is pertinent to mention that the hydel power generation capacity of WAPDA stands at about 7000 megawatt (MW) - about one third of the total installed capacity in the country.
Hydel is the cheapest, cleanest and environment-friendly source of power generation. Pakistan's energy mix is heavily tilted in favour of costly sources of power generation.
The phased induction of low-cost hydel electricity will not only improve its ratio in the energy mix but also lower tariff and provide relief to the consumers.
WAPDA is also executing a least-cost energy generation plan on priority basis with a view to improving the ratio of hydel electricity in the National Grid.
The under-construction projects include 969-MW Neelum-Jhelum, 106- MW, Golen Gol, 1410-MW Tarbela 4th Extension, 2160-MW Dasu Stage-I and 4500-MW Diamer Basha Dam.
The 7100-MW Bunji hydropower project is ready for construction. whereas studies for 1320-MW Tarbela 5th Extension are being conducted and the project will be taken up simultaneously with Tarbela 4th Extension.
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