F.P. Report
Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has stated that for the first time in the past nine years, 70 MW electricity, being generated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is going to be included in the national grid station which will help in generating Rs 2 Billion revenue on yearly basis.
The electricity to be included in the national grid station is being generated from Daral Khwar Hydo Power Project (HPP) in Swat, Ranolia HPP in Kohistan, Pehur Power project in Swabi and Machai Canal in Mardan which are producing 36 MW, 17 MW, 18 MW and 2.6MW respectively.
According to details, the Machai Canal, Daral Khwar and Ranolia power projects will be connected with the national grid station after which an agreement with the federal government will be signed within one month whereas the Pehur Power project is already connected with the national grid station.
Mahmood Khan added that the previously, the province generated electricity from different HPPs but were not being included in the national grid station which resulted in significant losses to the provincial exchequer.
These views were stated by the Chief Minister while chairing a meeting on the performance review of the Energy and Power sector. The meeting was briefed on the projects being completed and projects which are expected to be completed by the year 2025 which will provide a significant influx of power to the national grid.
According to details, the public sector projects including 10.2 MW Jabori power station in Manshera, 12 MW Karora power project in Shangla and 40.8 MW Koto power project in Lower Dir are scheduled to be completed by June 2020 which will generate 62.2 MW electricity and will contribute significantly to the provincial exchequer once included in the national grid.
Similarly, the public sector projects including 300MW Balakot HPP, 88MW Gabral in Kalam HPP, 22 MW Patrak Shringal HPP in Upper Dir and 47 MW Barikot Patrak HPP in Upper Dir will be completed by 2024-2025 which will produce a total of 457 MW electricity.
Additionally, public sector projects including 96 MW Bata Kundi HPP, 72 MW Istaro Buni HPP, 21 MW Ghorband HPP and 12 MW Nandihar HPP will be completed by the year 2024 which provide 201 MW electricity whereas 84 MW Mataltan power project and 69 MW Lawi Chitral power projects will be completed by the year 2022-23.
The Chief Minister further stated that efforts will be made to ensure that the power generated from Malakand-3 HPP is used to power the local industry in Malakand region and directed the concerned authorities to work out the modalities for provision of electricity from the Malakand-3 HPP to local industries.
In the private sector, the Chief Minister was informed that a total of 8 HPPs will be initiated in the year 2020-22 which will generate 656 MW electricity whereas 24 HPPs will be initiated by the private sector in the year 2022-23 which will help in production of 537 MW electricity.
The Chief Minister also stated that a total of 270 mini micro hydel power projects have been completed in feasible areas of the province whereas the government is also considering the construction of 672 additional mini micro hydel power projects throughout the province.
While commenting on the initiatives by the energy and power department, the Chief Minister stated that the province has been endowed with numerous hydel power resources and if utilized properly, it can fulfill the power needs of the entire country.
“We must work sincerely towards realizing of the set timelines so that we are able to generate significant revenue for the province in addition to playing our due role in national development.” Mehmood Khan.
