ISLAMABAD: Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) hydel power stations delivered more electricity during 2014 as compared to year 2013 and contributed 31.289 billion units to the national grid system.
Offical sources told APP here," WAPDA contributed 31.289 billion units of hydel electricity in 2014 as compared to 30.903 billion units in year 2013. This represents an increase of 386 million units".
This increased generation was made possible owing to better hydrological conditions particularly in relation to Mangla Reservoir and efficient operation and maintenance of existing hydel power stations, they said.
Moreover, commissioning of three hydropower projects in 2014 namely 17.4-MW Gomal Zam Dam, 22-MW Jabban Hydel Power Station and 130-MW Duber Khwar Hydropower Project has inducted a total of 170-MW of cheap hydroelectricity in the system.
The enhanced production of hydel electricity comes at a time when the country is in acute need of electricity to run the engine of economy.
The sources said the additional quantum of electricity would not only help minimize load-shedding during the winter season but also lower power tariff thereby providing relief to the people.
Meanwhile, work on land acquisition and resettlement action plan continued for 4500-MW Diamer Basha Dam Project during the year.
As part of efforts to develop indigenous water and hydropower resources in the country, the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) completed various projects in water and power sectors besides initiating work on new projects in Calendar year 2014.
WAPDA also started construction work on 1410-MW Tarbela 4th Extension and 2160-MW Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-1) in 2014 besides accelerating the pace of work on under-construction 969-MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, which is nearing its completion.
In the water sector, WAPDA achieved the historic milestone of impounding Raised Mangla Dam to its maximum capacity, which made it the largest dam of Pakistan by increasing its storage capacity by an additional 2.88 MAF.
The raised Mangla Dam played a leading role in trapping the peaks of floods in Jehlum and Chenab rivers in 2014 thereby reducing the extent of flood damage. WAPDA also completed the construction of phase-1 of Rainee Canal in June 2014, which will irrigate 113,690 acres of land.
A number of hydropower projects are under study including Harpo, Palas, Spat Gah, Basho, Patan, Thakot. WAPDA completed detailed engineering design and tender documents of 7100-MW Bunji Hydropower Project in 2014. The project is ready for construction subject to availability of funding. A number of water sector projects will be completed in 2015 on which the work continues apace. These projects included phase-1 of Kachhi Canal Project, Darwat Dam and Nai Gaj Dam.
These water sector projects will boost agriculture in particular and overall economy in general besides bringing about improvement in physical environment such as atmosphere, climate, land and water. It will also improve socio-economic conditions of people of the areas.
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