KHYBER Pakhtunkhwa, rich in water resources, has tremendous potential for hydropower generation, estimated to be over 20,000MW.

Yet, the province is short of electricity, and its major cities currently experience about eight hours of load-shedding on a daily basis, whereas other areas experience 12-hour power outages.

The province has the singular distinction of having the country’s largest hydropower station — Tarbela, of 3,478MW installed capacity. It also houses Pakistan’s first major hydropower station, Warsak of 243MW capacity, which was constructed in the 1950s.

Other hydropower stations operated by Wapda in the province include Dargai (20MW). Wapda also recently commissioned Allai Khwar (121MW), Khan Khwar (72MW), Duber Khwar (130MW) and Gomal Zam (17.4MW) hydropower projects.

The huge potential of hydropower generation in KP is also reflected in the fact that all four under-construction projects of Wapda are located here. These are Jabban (22MW), Golen Gol (108MW), Keyal Khwar (128MW) and Tarbela’s fourth extension of 1,410MW capacity.

The Authority also plans to construct the Kurram Tangi Dam in Waziristan Agency (83.4MW), Dasu Dam in Kohistan (4,000MW), Thakot Dam in Shangla (2,800MW), Munda Dam in Swat (740MW) and Patan Dam in Kohistan (2,800MW).

The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) signed an implementation agreement on April 11 with developers for the Suki Kinari project of 870MW in Mansehra district, which is scheduled for completion by June 2020, with an estimated cost of $ 1.8 billion.

Other projects under construction in the private sector are 147MW Patrind (Mansehra), 215MW Asrit-Kedam (Swat), 157MW Madian (Swat) and 548MW Kaigah (Kohistan). Projects being developed under public-private partnership are Lower Palas Valley (665MW) and Lower Spat Gah (496MW).

However, all the existing power stations are feeding the national grid, and other projects too, upon completion, will be connected to the national transmission system.

Thus, the province only gets its respective share of electricity, which does not help meet its growing power needs for agriculture, industry, trade and household consumers. Today, the total installed capacity for hydropower generation developed by the provincial government is around 105MW, and this also supplements power generation at the national level.

These power stations include Malakand-III (Dargai) of 81MW, and Pehur (Swabi) of 18MW, which are connected to the national grid, and Reshun (4.2MW) and Shishi (1.8MW), both in Chitral, which are standalone units to provide electricity to remote areas of the district.

Plans are underway to revive industrial activities by providing electricity directly from the Pehur powerhouse to the industrial zone at Gadoon Amazai in Swabi, in the first phase. Contractual and operational framework is being worked out under existing Nepra regulations.

The Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo) — formerly Phydo/Shydo — also acts as a utility company for remote rural localities. Meanwhile, most powerhouses with capacities from 0.1MW to 0.4MW each have now been leased out to local entrepreneurs.

In the wake of persistent electricity shortages and future demand projections, the Government of KP is keen to be self-reliant in power generation through optimally harnessing untapped hydropower potential.

A large number of prospective sites have been identified, and technical and economic parameters defined, with the help of national and international consultants. The availability of high, medium and low water heads could economically develop hydropower projects, mainly run-of-the-river type, with some as daily storage projects.

The government has taken initiatives for exploitation, development and utilisation of hydropower generation in a big way through its own resources as well as private investment. A ‘master plan’ has been devised for implementation, which is divided into short-term, medium-term and long-term plans.

Three hydropower projects of cumulative capacity of 56MW are in advanced stages of completion, at a total cost of Rs12 billion. They are scheduled to start commercial operations by June 2015.

The medium-term plan covers eight projects of total capacity of 626MW, which are to be completed by 2018 at a total cost of Rs131 billion. These projects, for which detailed feasibility studies have already been conducted, include Matiltan (Swat) 84MW, Lawi (Chitral) 69MW, Sharmai (Dir) 150MW, Shushghai-Zhendoli (Chitral) 144MW and Shagosin (Chitral) 132MW.

Tenders for the Koto hydropower project have recently been invited on a ‘water to wire’ basis.

The long-term plan, which spans over a period of 10 years, covers 13 projects of 1,418MW, costing Rs188 billion. In addition, feasibility studies are under preparation for a number of hydropower schemes, including Gahrit-Swir Lasht (334MW), Korang Parait (223MW), Laspur Marigram (133MW), Naran Dam (210MW) and Balakot (190MW).

Studies for 13 projects are scheduled for completion this year. Pre-feasibility studies for another 10 projects in the range of 3-25MW, to be located in Dir, Chitral, Swat and Mansehra, are being undertaken. Besides, there are another 25 raw sites with potential for developing over 50MW projects, totaling 9,000MW, and some 60 schemes of under 50MW capacity, totaling 426MW.

Despite the poor law and order situation, the provincial government has attracted private investment. Three powerhouses have been completed. Another 21 projects of cumulative capacity of 122MW are being implemented in Mardan, Havelian, Malakand, Balakot, Shangla, Kohistan, Abbottabad and Hazara.

Tenders have recently been invited by Pedo from NGOs and other organisations for construction, operation and maintenance of various mini/micro hydropower projects in 12 districts as a social enterprise for community development.

The implementation of the KP Hydropower Master Plan, within the projected cost and timeline, will result in providing adequate and affordable electricity to the province. —Engr Hussain Ahmad Siddiqui