LAHORE: Three hydel power stations operated by the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) delivered 110.190 million units of electricity to the national grid on Friday compared to 64.037 million units generated the same day last year -- an increased contribution of 46.153 million units.

This increase in hydel power generation is the result of increased water releases from the dams by Irsa.

According to the data, Tarbela hydel power station generated 43.809 million units compared to 17.882m units on May 8 last year. Ghazi Barotha hydel power station produced 25.740m units compared to 14.455m units on the same day last year, whereas 24m units were generated by Mangla hydel power station compared to 15.760m units on the same day last year.

Also read: Crisis brings down power generation by 2,000MW

The basic purpose of dams is to provide water for agriculture as required by the provinces, whereas hydel electricity generation is merely the by-product. The electricity generation from hydel power stations depends upon water indents of Irsa. This increased quantum of electricity was produced due to increased water outflows.

The hydel power generation capacity of Wapda stands at about 7,000MW – about one-third of the total installed capacity in the country.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction that despite some of hydel power stations being as old as 50 years, the generation capacity of Wapda has stayed intact due to proper maintenance and efficient operation of these stations. Wapda contributes more than 30 billion units of low-cost electricity to the national grid per annum. The role being played by hydel electricity in keeping the power tariff at present level can be measured from the fact that according to data of January 2015, per unit generation cost of hydel electricity is merely Rs2.62 on an average as compared to Rs7.43 for gas, Rs12.91 for coal, Rs12.98 for baggase, Rs17.58 for furnace oil, Rs.23.43 for diesel, Rs5.98 for nuclear and Rs11.62 for wind,” says a press release. As per data the basket price of electricity in the system stands at Rs10.03 per unit.

transmission line: The National Transmission and Dispatch Company, under its transmission enhancements investment programme, has started a vital project of 600km long 500kv Jamshoro-Moro-Dadu to Rahim Yar Khan transmission line and 500kv Switching Station at Moro along with necessary extensions at existing 500kv substations of Jamshoro, Dadu and Rahim Yar Khan with an estimated cost of $180m funded by ADB.

The NTDCL spokesman said this important project is part of NTDCL’s overall power development programme which will be completed in Dec 2016. The main objective of the project is enhancement and extension of NTDC’s existing system to provide appropriate facilities for dispersal of power proposed to be generated from southern part of the country to the load centers to meet the power demand of the country.

Whereas the bulk power generation has been planned in southern area based on imported coal near Karachi, local coal in Thar area and wind power plants of Sindh. Dilating upon the salients of the project, the spokesman said that for timely completion, the project has been bifurcated into two packages. Package-I has been divided into three Lots. 202 km transmission line will be constructed from Jamshoro to Moro under Lot–I, whereas 232Km long transmission from Dadu-Moro to Goth Qazi Mahar under Lot-II and 166 km transmission line will be constructed from Goth Qazi Mahar to Rahim Yar Khan under Lot–III. Whereas, under package II, a 500kV Switching Station at Moro will be constructed besides extension works at existing 500kV Substations at Jamshoro, Dadu and Rahim Yar Khan.

He said the NTDC managing director has directed NTDC engineers and Chinese contractors to speed up the construction work and complete the project well in time. He said the project was being implemented by Chief Engineer (MP&M) NTDC and supervised by Nespak.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2015

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