Hydel power generation project: AJK and Canada ink MoU to start joint venture

The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Canada on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to start a joint hydel power generation project at a cost of five billion rupees.
The MoU was signed here in Kashmir House between the representatives of the two governments. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and Canadian Trade Commissioner.
Secretary Electricity AJK Fazal Qureshi and Project Director Canadian Commercial Corporation Donald Olson signed the documents. Under the MoU the Phase II of the Jagran hydel project in the Neelum Valley will be started at a cost of five billion rupees.
Half of the amount will be provided by the government of Canada in the shape of foreign exchange and machinery while the other half by the government of Azad Kashmir. The project will be completed within three years.
The Phase II is designed to produce 45 mega watt of hydel electricity. AJK needs at least 400 megawatts of power. It is the first such project signed after seven years. Prime Minister AJK Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan said that AJK government was keen to develop abundant hydel resources to produce electricity and the region has immense hydel resources.