This hydel generation was made possible due to efficient operation and management of hydropower stations and availability of more water in the reservoirs.

This additional contribution of low-cost hydel electricity by WAPDA to the national grid saved about Rs41.64 billion to the national exchequer, which otherwise would have been incurred on generating electricity from thermal resources.

According to data, more than 31.45 billion units of hydel electricity were contributed to the system during the fiscal year 2010-11, while about 27.61 billion units were supplied during the year 2009-10.

Tarbela, the largest hydel power station in the country, generated 15.833 billion units during 2010-11 while 13.833 billion units were generated in 2009-10.

Similarly, Ghazi Bartoha, the second in line, produced 7.356 billion units against 6.715 billion units, Mangla, the third in row, 5.953 billion units against 4.638 billion units, and Warsak and other small hydel power stations shared 2.308 billion units in 2010-11 against 2.425 billion units during 2009-10.

It is pertinent to mention that the installed capacity of hydel power generation in the country stands at about 6,500 megawatt - about one third of the total installed capacity.

WAPDA is executing a least-cost energy generation plan on priority basis with a view to improve the ratio of hydel electricity in the national grid.

WAPDA will add 1,500MW to this capacity through projects under construction.

WAPDA is also executing a number of mega hydropower projects with a cumulative capacity of more than 20,000MW including 4,500MW Diamer Basha Dam, 1350MW Tarbela 4th Extension, 7,100MW Bunji, 4,320MW Dasu and 740MW Munda hydropower project.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2011