PESHAWAR: Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo) would soon launch work on 672 micro hydel power projects under the second phase of ‘Ujalon Ka Safar’ social uplift programme.

Briefing reporters about Pedo projects, Adviser to Chief Minister Himayatullah Khan said that work on hydro power projects of more than 1,400 megawatts was going on despite hurdles created by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Energy and Power Secretary Mohammad Zubair Khan, Pedo Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Naeem Khan and Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) chief Masoodul Mulk were also present on the occasion.

The adviser said that Pedo projects were currently producing 157 megawatts electricity and generating revenue amounting to Rs5.8 billion per annum.

CM’s adviser says Pedo schemes currently produce 157 megawatts electricity

He said that the province would provide cheap electricity to its industrial sector through KP Transmission and Grid Company, which was recently issued licence by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority.

Mr Khan said that after getting licence, the province could set up its transmission lines and grid stations.

He said that international planning consultants, hired by the provincial government, would visit the province later in August to identify sites for feasible power evacuation proposals.

He said that currently National Transmission and Dispatch Company system had capacity to absorb 25,000 megawatts electricity.

Briefing reporters about different projects, Pedo CEO Mohammad Naeem Khan said that contract award for micro hydel power projects in three districts was expected by May, 2021 and by the end of June for the rest of the districts.

He said that time span for completion of the phase-II was enhanced to 58 months including one year defect liability period. He said that execution of civil works, contractors were assigned in joint venture with NGOs.

Regarding first phase of the project, the adviser said that 308 micro hydel power projects (MHPs) out of 356 were completed while 24 others were dropped on technical grounds.

He said that 254 MHPs were handed over to the respective community organisations in different parts of the province. He said that Covid-19 adversely affected the project completion activities in 2020. Now it will be completed by June-2021.

Mr Naeem said that work was in progress on solarisation of 4,400 mosques, 8,000 schools and 187 basic health units. He said that work on four hydro electric projects of 479 megawatts with the help of Asian Development Bank and World Bank would also be launched soon.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2021