F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has expressed his satisfaction over the performance of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) and directed the relevant authorities to complete the due for completion hydro power projects on priority basis. The provincial government is working under a well devised strategy to take full advantage of hydropower potential in the province. He added that Completion of ongoing projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will address power crisis at the national level, provide electricity to local people at cheaper rates and generate revenue for the province.
He was chairing the 11th meeting of PEDO Policy Board held here the other day. The participants of the meeting were briefed on the annual performance of PEDO and were told that PEDO is engaged in all-round efforts for the production of low cost hydropower in the province which has become a major source of income. More than 43 billion rupees have been generated in revenue so far whereas the federal government also owes over 10 billion rupees to PEDO. It was informed that, 7 projects with a total capacity of 161 megawatts have been completed so far, which generate an annual revenue of Rs 5 billions. Moreover, seven additional hydropower projects are near to completion which will generate 224 megawatt electricity collectively while a revenue of Rs 4 billion is expected from these projects annually.
The forum was appraised that PEDO has successfully converted the Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister’s House and Chief Minister’s Secretariat to solar system by harnessing environment-friendly sources of energy production. Similarly, 4440 Masajid, 8000 schools and 187 primary health centers of the province have also been transferred to solar energy, while 13 solar mini-grids are being established to promote trade activities in the newly merged districts. Besides, 316 mini micro-hydel stations have been completed in backward areas of the province which are generating around 29 megawatt electricity which is being provided to local people at cheaper rates. Similarly, 220 more mini micro hydel stations will be established in the second phase which will generate 45 mega watt electricity.
The forum was also told that recently 10MW Jabori Hydropower Project in Mansehra has been successfully completed while physical work has also been initiated on 300MW Balakot Hydropower Project. Likewise, 40 MW Koto and 11 MW Karora hydro power projects are also in completion stage. Other ongoing projects of PEDO include 84MW Mataltan Hydropower Project in Swat, 69MW Lavi Hydropower Project in Chitral, 6.9MW Barando hydro power Project in Torghar and 10.5MW Chapri Charkhel Hydropower Project in Kurram district which on completion will generate substantial revenue for the province.
The meeting was told that foundation stone of 157 MW Madyan and 88 MW Gabral Kalam hydropower projects will be laid very soon.
Addressing the participants, the chief minister said that the completion of ongoing energy projects will prove to be a game changer and help to overcome power crisis in the country.
Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer PEDO Engineer Naeem Khan and other members of the board also attended the meeting.
