Pakistan Council for Renewable Energy Technologies (PCRET) on Monday completed electrification of about 70,000 houses by using hydro power plants which will help to meet local energy needs. Cost of installation of these plants is more than Rs 70,000 per KW.
PCRET is also launching a number of projects for the design, development including low cost methodology for installation of hydro power plants in different areas. Talking to newsmen, PCRET Director Sarfraz Khan said, "In past, the energy of flowing water in the far-flung remote areas was being harnessed for grinding, saw milling etc, but with the development of Hydropower technology, various countries developed turbines and generators to produce electricity".
Micro hydropower being an alternative to replace the fossil fuel has emerged as a desirable option for hilly terrains where natural and manageable water falls are abundantly available. Sarfraz Khan said PCRET had demonstrated technology on micro and mini level. The programmes had been formulated for the exploitation and on site generation of electricity, he maintained.