PESHAWAR: Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) has completed eight Hydro Power Projects of 161 megawatt electricity generating capacity. The completed projects will earn a receipt of Rs.3.12 billion per annum for the province.
This was told in a meeting of Energy & Power Department held here with Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in the chair on Tuesday. Special Assistant to CM on Energy Taj Muhammad Tarand, Secretary Energy Muhammad Zubair, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PEDO Mohammad Naeem and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
The meeting was further told that under the solar project, five different schemes of 3.12 MW have also been completed that will earn another receipt of Rs. 86 million annually. Work is also in progress on the construction of other seven hydro power projects with total capacity of 232 MW and 7 solar projects with total capacity of 43 MW as well. These projects are expected to generate annual receipt of Rs. 9 billion and saving of Rs. 865 million respectively.
The forum was briefed about the major achievements and overall performance of the department and was told that so far 8 hydro power projects had been completed in the province that include 81 MW Malakand-III Hydro Power Project Dargai, 18 MW Hydro Power Project Pehur, 1.8 MW Shishi Hydro Power Project Chitral, 4.2 MW Reshun Hydro Power Project Chitral, 2.6 MW Machai Hydro Power Project Mardan, 36.6 MW Daral Hydro Power Project Swat, 17 MW Ranolia Hydro Power Project Kohistan and 10 mini micro projects on Canals.
Similarly, it was informed that 7 Hydro Power Projects were under construction in the different parts of the province including 10.2 MW Jabori Hydro Power Project Mansehra, 11.8 MW Karora Hydro Power Project Shangla, 40.8 MW Koto Hydro Power Project Dir Lower, 84 MW Mataltan Hydro Power Project Swat, 69 MW Lawi Hydro Power Project Chitral, 10.5 MW Chapri Charkhel Hydro Power Project Kurrum and 6.5 MW Barando Hydro Power Project District Torghar.
These seven projects would be completed with a total estimated cost of Rs. 73 Billion. The authorities told that an agreement had been signed with Asian Development Bank for the construction of 300 MW Balakot Hydro Power Project adding that an agreement had also been signed with World Bank for the construction of 157 MW Madain Hydro Power Project and 88 MW Gabral Kalam Hydro Power Project. They informed that under the Public Private Partnership, 188 MW Naran and 96 MW Batakundi Hydro Power Projects were also under construction whereas feasibility for 496 MW Spatgah Hydro Power Project was in progress.
The meeting was further informed that PC-Is of three different projects having the total capacity of 564 MW had been prepared adding that these projects would be reflected in the next Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). It was also told that under the first phase of Mini Micro Hydro Power Projects, 356 mini micro Hydro Power Projects were being constructed in the different parts of the province out of which 266 projects had been completed and operationalized so far while under the second phase of the project more 672 mini micro hydro power projects would be constructed in the province.
Briefing about the solar projects, the authorities informed that 2323 mosques had been solarized in the province adding that under the project a total of 4000 mosques would be converted on solar system. Similarly, 8000 schools were also being solarized in the province out of which solarization of 3000 schools had been completed so far. They added that contract had been awarded for the construction of 13 mini solar grid stations in merged areas further stating that Transmission and Grid Company of the province had been established.
A 10-year business plan has also been approved for the funding of power projects under the PEDO whereas E-Bidding system has been launched by the department.
Addressing the meeting, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Energy Department and directed the quarters concerned to prepare workable operational plan for operating completed mini micro hydel power stations further directing them to ensure participation of local community for the better management of these hydel power stations.
He also directed to immediately initiate work on the phase-II of mini hydro power projects and solar projects as well. He further directed to finalized arrangements to perform ground breaking of Balakot Hydro Power Project and to start work on the construction of solar grid stations in the merged areas without any delay.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
Comments
Comments are closed.