147MW Patrind Hydropower Project is being developed by Star Hydro Power Limited (SHPL), a subsidiary of K-Water and Daewoo Engineering & Construction Company. The Project is under construction and shall start generating electricity in the first quarter of 2017. The project has attracted 100% Foreign Direct Investment of USD 436 Million. The SHPL is run by a team of dynamic and dedicated professionals from both Korea and Pakistan.
The Project is located on the boundary of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), spanning Lohar Galli area downstream of Garhi Habibullah. The majority of the Project structures, including the powerhouse, will be located within the territories of AJ&K with some of the temporary and permanent components within territorial limits of KP. Since the Project falls in two distinct administrative territories (AJ&K and KP), it attracts the laws of both Pakistan and AJ&K. SHPL has obtained environmental approvals from both AJ&K and KP, and has acquired land in both territories,
NEPRA (the power sector regulator) has approved an EPC stage levelized tariff of 8.3 cents/kWh. The next tariff application to NEPRA will be made by the Company upon achievement of commercial operations. The Project shall, on average, generate 632 Million units of electricity every year. This will help in replacing a not too insignificant import bill for fossil fuels for generation of electricity.
The electricity produced shall be an important addition to the national grid within next two years and shall support the endeavours of the Government of Pakistan for reducing the load shedding hours. The Governments of AJ&K and KP shall also receive substantial Water Use Charges every month, which shall rise according to the inflation indices. Since the waters of river Kunhar rise within the territories of Pakistan, the Project shall also augment the energy security of the country. The Project also provides generous opportunities for local employment and commerce and is a catalyst for local economic activities.
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