LAHORE: The hydel power stations operated by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) delivered 2,236 million units of electricity to the national grid in August 2014 as compared to 2,143 million units generated during the corresponding period last year.

This generation has registered an increase of 93 million units at a time when the country is in dire need of more electricity. The average peak share during August 2014 remained 6,355MW against an average peak share of 6,166MW in August 2013, representing an increase of 189MW.

This increased generation and average peak sharing is due to enhanced water outflows from reservoirs by Irsa, and efficient operation and maintenance of hydel power stations.

The role being played by the hydel electricity in keeping the power tariff at present level can be measured from the fact that according to a data for the fiscal year 2013-14, the per unit generation cost of hydel electricity is merely Rs1.65 on an average as compared to Rs7.53 for gas, Rs11.66 for coal, Rs11.74 for baggase, Rs18.68 for furnace oil, Rs28.41 for diesel (HSD), Rs6.38 for nuclear and Rs14.55 for wind.

The hydel power generation capacity of Wapda stands at about 7,000 megawatt (MW), about one-third of the total installed capacity in the country.

Hydel is the cheapest, cleanest and environment-friendly source of power generation. Pakistan’s energy mix is heavily tilted in favour of costly sources of power generation. The phased induction of the low-cost hydel electricity will not only improve its ratio in the energy mix but also lower tariff and provide relief to consumers.

Wapda is executing a least-cost energy generation plan on a priority basis to improve the ratio of hydel electricity in the national grid. The under-construction projects include 969MW Neelum-Jhelum, 106-MW 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. Whereas studies for 1,320MW Tarbela 5th Extension are being conducted and the project will be taken up simultaneously with Tarbela 4th Extension.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2014