PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund with the financial support of German government has set up a hydropower station producing 36KW of electricity in Sar Kalay village of Buner district.

The newly-established hydropower plant would provide electricity to the area people, according to a statement issued here on Saturday.

The PPAF is implementing the hydropower and renewable energy (HRE) projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the financial support of the government of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW).

The project has two phases with total financial outlay of 22.5 million euros. Phase-I was initiated in 2013 and is planned to be completed in 2018. Phase-II spanning over three years will follow, the statement said.

The KfW delegation along with the PPAF senior officials inaugurated the hydropower project in Buner district and solar mini-grid projects in Lakki Marwat.

Michael Gruber, division head of Peace and Governance Programme-KfW Frankfurt, appreciated the efforts of PPAF in implementing renewable energy projects in off-grid and remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that these projects would contribute to development of the area and improve the socio-economic conditions of the people. He emphasised proper operation and maintenance to ensure long-term benefits of the project.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2017