Hydro-power projects worth billions of rupees are under way in Azad Jammu and Kashmir that would fulfil the domestic and commercial need of energy. This was stated by AJK Advisor on Information and Hydro Electric Board, Raja Muhammad Yaseen Khan while talking to a delegation of investors here on Tuesday.
He elaborated that after the completion of Hydropower projects and by implementing the solar energy projects, the energy crises could be overcome. He said the public-private partnership projects were being encouraged by the government to promote industrial sector in Azad Kashmir, adding that besides cordial atmosphere, special incentives were also being given to industrialists in this regard.
He said that in Neelum valley Jaghran hydel power project costing Rs 4,500 million was underway and after its completion some 43.5 megawatt electricity would be generated while 14.4 MW power project at Jheengh area in district Muzaffarabad was expected to be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 million.
Giving further details of the power projects, Raja Yaseen said that 1.50MW hydel generation project worth Rs 195 million at Qadir Abad in Bagh District, 1.50 MW hydel project costing Rs 190 million at Rairah were near completion. Whereas 4.80MW hydel power generation project at Batad (Bagh) with an estimated cost of Rs 710.450 million and 0.60MW power project at Halan, Bagh would be completed with the cost of Rs 37,085 million, he added.
He said that Kathai power project with the potential of 1.60 MW, Kail hydel power project, Kundal Shahi power project, Rungar project phase-1, Sharian power project, Halmat power project and Shardah hydel power projects were being expanded to generate more electricity.
Raja Yaseen said that more projects in hydel power generation and solar energy sectors were in the pipeline to meet the future demand. The investors' delegation assured the government that more investment would be made in the hydel generation projects and set up industrial units in the identified areas to bring progress and prosperity in the liberated territory.