18,000 megawatts to be generated in next five years: Shakeel

Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Shakeel Durrani has said 18000MW will be generated in the coming next five years and power-cuts will be eradicated next year. Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project (NJHP) will generate 969MW and its total cost will be Rs 130 billion. It will be helpful to reduce the power shortage.
He said Wapda would pay Rs 4.1 billion for the consultancy fee to the various companies. Wapda will generate Rs 125 billion of power annually. He told reporters after signing the constancy agreement for the NJHP between Wapda and Neelum-Jhelum consultants - a joint venture made up of M/S.MWH International INC. of USA, Norplan as of Norway and three Pakistani firms namely Nespak, Associated Consulting Engineers of Pakistan and National Development Consultants.
He said Wapda was producing 70 percent power form the Thermal and 30 percent from hydel, now it had been reversed and 70 percent power is being generated form Hydel projects. NJHP General Manager Hasnan Afzal and PE Principal Project Manger Gene J Kocian signed on the paper.