PESHAWAR: In order to take full advantage of the province’s water resources, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has planned to launch 17 new hydel power projects during financial year 2014-15 to cater to the growing energy needs of people, agriculture sector and industries.

Among them are 300MW Balakot hydel power project in Mansehra, 14MW Ghorband hydel power project in Shangla, 84MW Matiltan Gorkin hydel power project in Swat, 10MW Nandihar hydro power project in Battagram and 51MW Mujigaram Shaghore hydro power project in Chitral.

The relevant officials of the Civil Secretariat said the government wanted to focus on the development of renewable energy in the province through short, medium and long term interventions.

They said work on 69MW Lawi energy project in Chitral was likely to get underway in near future.

The officials said Chitral’s location was very ideal for hydropower generation and therefore, the government had decided to take full advantage of it by designing 52MW Istaro Booni hydel power project in the district.

They said the government had planned to begin work on mega 79MW Arkari Gol hydel power project in Chitral during the current fiscal.

The officials said the government would increase the capacity of the Pakhtunkhwa Hydel Development Organisation and the energy and power department and ensure efficient utilisation of net hydel profits for the said projects.

They said other alternate energy sources would also be exploited, while thermal power generation in southern districts using gas had been planned.

The officials said hydel policy framework would be developed for the establishment of oil refinery in the province in partnership with the Pakistan State Oil.

They said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been blessed with huge hydel potential and large reserves of oil and gas.

The officials said the resources after development would not only decrease the gap between energy demand and supply but would also help generate billion of rupees worth of revenue for the province.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2014