LAHORE: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has said that hydel generation hit 6,118 megawatts during Sunday night’s peak hours, crossing 6,100MW after the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) raised water releases from reservoirs.

According to a spokesperson for Wapda, the Tarbela Hydel Power Station contributed 2,332MW, Tarbela 4th Extension 1,095MW, Ghazi Barotha 1,160MW, Mangla 930MW, Warsak 135MW, Chashma 101MW; while the remaining 365MW of electricity was generated by Wapda’s other medium and small hydel power stations.

It is important to note that Wapda’s hydel electricity is the most affordable, clean, and green energy in the national grid, and it subsidises the entire energy sector.

In the year 2025, Wapda’s 22 hydel power stations collectively generated 33.12 billion units — about 30pc of the system’s total generation. Wapda’s hydel electricity, with a tariff of just Rs3.83 per unit, continued to subsidise the country’s entire power sector this year too, thus significantly contributing to economic stability and social development in Pakistan.

If compared with the basket tariff, Wapda’s hydel electricity stands out as the most affordable energy in Pakistan. Besides, it is the most suitable energy source, with zero carbon emissions during generation, from the perspective of climate change across the globe.

In 2025, Tarbela Hydel Power Station contributed 14.3bn units, while Tarbela 4th Extension 5.6bn units, Ghazi Barotha Hydel Power Station 6.5bn units, Mangla Hydel Power Station 3.6bn units, Warsak Hydel Power Station 0.77bn units and Chashma Hydel Power Station 0.79bn units. Balance 1.56bn units were generated by 3 High-Head Hydel Power Stations, Jinnah Hydel Power Station and other Small Hydel Power Stations.

During 2025, construction work, as Wapda claimed, continued on eight under-construction projects, including Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu, Tarbela 5th Extension and the Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme, known as K-IV.

It is worth mentioning that Wapda’s under-construction projects, upon completion, will add 9.7 million acre-feet to water storage and double the installed power generation capacity from 9,500MW to about 20,000MW. Besides, 560 million gallons per day (MGD) will also be made available for municipal use — 260 MGD for Karachi through K-IV Phase-I and 300 MGD for Peshawar through Mohmand Dam.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2026