LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) delivered 31.084 billion units of hydel power to the national grid during the fiscal year 2013-14 as compared to 29.560 billion in 2012-13, registering an increase of 1.524 billion units.

According to a Wapda press release, the increased hydel contribution was made possible due to efficient operation and maintenance of hydel power stations, availability of more water in the reservoirs and generation from recently completed projects, the raised Mangla Dam in particular.

This helped the national exchequer save about Rs24.38 billion, which otherwise would have been incurred on generating an equivalent quantum of electricity from costly imported oil.

Wapda, during fiscal year 2013-14, billed Central Power Purchasing Agency for its hydel generation at an average of Rs1.50 per unit, whereas per unit average generation cost from imported furnace oil is Rs16. The government charged consumers Rs11.50 per unit on an average.

According to generation data for 2013-14, Tarbela, the largest hydel power station in the country, generated 15.138 billion units during 2013-14 compared to 14.755 billion in 2012-13. Mangla, after completion of its raising component, generated 5.725 billion units against 4.576 billion last year. The remaining quantum of electricity was generated by other hydel power stations during 2013-14.

Wapda’s hydel power generation capacity stood at about 7,000MW -- about one-third of the total installed capacity in the country. Pakistan’s energy mix is heavily tilted in favour of costly sources of power generation. The phased induction of low-cost hydel electricity would not only improve its ratio but also lower tariff and provide relief to consumers.

Wapda is executing a least-cost energy generation plan on priority with a view to improving the ratio of hydel electricity in the national grid. The under-construction projects included 969MW Neelum-Jhelum, 106MW Golen Gol, 1,410MW Tarbela 4th Extension, 2,160MW Dasu Stage-I and 4,500MW Diamer-Bhasha Dam. The 7,100MW Bunji Hydropower Project is ready for construction. Studies for 1,320MW Tarbela 5th Extension are being conducted and the project will be taken up simultaneously with the dam’s 4th Extension.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2014