ISLAMABAD: The contribution of hydel power by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to the National Grid during first quarter of fiscal year surged to record 15.20 billion units of hydel electricity to the system in July-September 2019.
WAPDA in a press release on Thursday said it has added about 1.85 billion more units compared to power generation during the corresponding period of the last fiscal 2018-19 which was 13.34 billion units.
The authority said record hydel power generation during the first quarter (July-September) of this fiscal year became possible due to improved water flows, effective maintenance and effective operation of WAPDA hydel power stations and most importantly, newly constructed hydropower projects, Neelum Jhelum and Tarbela 4thExtension in particular, which operated to their maximum power generation capacity.
During first quarter of fiscal year 2019-20, Tarbela 4th Extension provided 2.83 billion units, while Neelum Jhelum contributed 1.42 billion units to the National Grid. Similarly, Tarbela Hydel Power Station provided 6.31 billion units and Ghazi Barotha 2.28 billion units; whereas Mangla, Warsak and other hydel power stations owned and operated by WAPDA generated 2.34 billion units, with a combined production of 15.20 billion units.
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This added contribution of WAPDA hydel electricity to the system helped the country in meeting electricity needs and stabilizing the electricity tariff for the consumers, as hydropower is the cheapest, cleanest and environment-friendly electricity, the official handout said.
The authority said it has been vigorously working to increase the share of hydel electricity in National Grid.
Pakistan was ranked 3rd in the world by International Hydropower Association (IHA) for newly installed hydropower capacity with an addition of 2487 MW. At present, total installed capacity of as many as 22 WAPDA hydel power stations stands at 9389 MW.
The hydropower plants, the world over, have average life span of 30 to 35 years, but WAPDA still successfully operates its hydel power stations, majority of which are far older than their average life, it claimed. Despite aging factor, WAPDA hydel power stations are still capable to be run at their maximum generation capacities, it added.
