The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) generated 31.45 billion units of hydro-power electricity during the fiscal year 2010-11, registering an increase of 3.84 billion units as compared to 2009-10. This increased hydro-power generation was made possible due to efficient operation and management of hydro-power stations and availability of more water in the reservoirs.
The WAPDA spokesman said this additional contribution of low-cost hydro-power electricity by WAPDA to the national grid saved about Rs 41.64 billion to the national exchequer, which otherwise would have been incurred on generating the equivalent quantum of electricity from thermal resources. According to him, more than 31.45 billion units of hydro-power electricity were contributed to the system during the fiscal year 2010-11, while about 27.61 billion units were supplied during the year 2009-10.
Tarbela, he said, the largest hydro-power station in the country, generated 15.833 billion units during 2010-11 while 13.833 billion units in 2009-10. Similarly, Ghazi Bartoha, the second in line, produced 7.356 billion units against 6.715 billion units, Mangla, the third in row, 5.953 billion units against 4.638 billion units, and Warsak and other small hydro-power stations shared 2.308 billion units in 2010-11 against 2.425 billion units during 2009-10.
It is pertinent to mention here that the installed capacity of hydro-power generation in the country stands at about 6,500 megawatt (MW)-about one third of the total installed capacity. WAPDA is executing a least-cost Energy Generation Plan on priority basis with a view to improve the ratio of hydro-power electricity in the National Grid. WAPDA will add 1,500 MW to this capacity through it's under construction projects. Besides, WAPDA is also executing a number of mega hydro-power projects with a cumulative capacity of more than 20,000 MW including 4,500-MW Diamer Basha Dam, 1,350-MW Tarbela 4th Extension, 7,100-MW Bunji, 4,320-MW Dasu and 740-MW Munda hydro-power projects, etc.