SHANGLA: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf provincial deputy general secretary Nawaz Mehmood Khan has said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved 14 more micro hydropower projects for Shangla.

He told journalists here that provincial government had approved 14 more small energy projects of different capacity to be constructed on different rivers of the district to produce energy.

Nawaz Mehmood Khan, also a former candidate for National Assembly, said that those projects were being executed by Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo). He said that a total 17 projects had been approved by the government. He said that in the first phase, three of projects were initiated.

He said work on 500KW Kund project, 68KW Gaji Khwar, 96KW Bely Baba had already been started. He said that work on the rest of 14 projects would be commenced in the coming months.

Mr Khan said that the projects would resolve the electricity crises in Shangla. As per government’s policy, locals would get electricity at minimum charges, he added.

“We also promised electrification of three union councils affected in the 11.8MW Karora project and work on the scheme is under way. I am in contact with Pesco construction department monitoring the process as the KP government has made payment for it to Pesco,” said the PTI leader.

He shared a document with the journalists, mentioning the micro energy projects including 56KW Khwar Kallay in Lilonwai, 25KW Sorray Ashar, 35KW Karhai Chorbat, 30KW Gatanu Patty, 80KW Shago Dolat Kallay, 25KW Shahpur, 25KW Barkana, 35KW Kerlai Jarandi site, 25KW Walai Larai Mumtaz site, 40KW Peryanu Khat Larai site, 125KW Mata Aghwan dehrai and 35KW Kuz Kallay Ghulamullah site.

It also mentioned that under-construction projects, 500KW Kund, which was used for the entire Bisham city, Battagram district villages in the past, 68KW Gaji Khwar and 96KW Bely Baba.

About 11.8 megawatts Karora hydropower project had been completed two years ago but waiting for test of operation, which would be conducted by Chinese engineers.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2025