LAHORE, Aug 21: The second generation unit of the Ghazi Barotha Hydel Power Project on Thursday started producing electricity up to its full capacity of 290MW and also came on line.

According to officials of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), the test transmission of unit-II began last week but it attained full capacity on Thursday.

It was still being tested during the day as injection and withdrawal of 290MW could cause system loss in the peak hours.

The deadline for bringing second unit on line was mid-September. The third unit would be brought on line in December, followed by the fourth one in March next year and fifth and final one in June 2004.

After attaining full generation capacity, the Ghazi Barotha Hydel Power Project would contribute 1,450MW to the national grid throughout the year because of the assured water supply from Tarbela dam.

The Ghazi Barotha Hydel Power Project would contribute 14 per cent of power to the national grid and reverse the hydel-thermal ratio in favour of former by nine per cent — from the present 29 per cent to 38 per cent.

The generation cost would be the cheapest in the country with paisa 55 per unit against the average sale price of Rs4.07 from the independent power producers (IPPs).