The site for a hydropower station should have availability of ample quantity of water at appropriate head and there are a lot of such sites in the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K).

By virtue of its topography, meteorology and hydrology, this area is blessed with abundant hydropower potential.

Located in the foothills of northern mountains, AJ&K territory is replete with rippling rivers and streams. Rivers Jhelum, Neelum and Poonch along with their tributaries are flowing through AJ&K, holding immense hydropower potential in their laps. This is so because the fast flowing water of these rivers and streams can be used for generating power and they constitute some of the most ideal sites for run-of-rivers plants. Hydropower generation can be a veritable source of income for the State and it’s not water but gold flowing in the rivers and streams of AJ&K.

Having a potential only is of no use until it is identified and utilized. This potential remained unidentified till a few years back. We have come across only one mega project i.e. Mangla hydropower project having an installed capacity of 1000 MW, which was primarily an irrigation project had started its generation in 1968. But surprisingly, except for this project, there had been no progress up until late 1980s, when we faced acute power shortages.

Earlier in 1989, WAPDA focused its attention in AJ&K and launched a scheme for the comprehensive planning of available hydropower resources in Jhelum river basin. As a result of these investigations a number of sites had been identified that offer an attractive prospects. According to preliminary estimates potential of above 5000 MW is available in three river catchments and their tributaries in AJ&K.

AJK has developed three small projects at Kundal Shahee, Kathai and Leepa and a medium project at Jagran having a maximum capacity of 30.4 MW, which is duly connected with National Grid System. Some micro- level plants are also in operation at Kail. It is a real break-through toward the exploitation of hydropower potential in AJ&K, as these projects have been commissioned by mostly utilizing the indigenous resources and capabilities. Presently total power generating capacity of all the local projects is 36 MW.

A policy for power generation projects has been announced by GoP in 2002 and duly adopted by AJK to capitalize and exploit the hydropower potential in AJK. According to the policy provincial governments and AJK is mandated to undertake the project up to 50 MW. Whereas, Wapda has undertaken three mega power generation projects i.e Raising of Mangla Dam, Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project and Kohalla hydropower project in its vision 2025 programme. Some prominent features of these projects are being highlighted here.

Raising of Mangla Dam: The Mangla Dam was completed in 1968. This project along with Terbela has really contributed a lot in the development of economy of Pakistan, as all the economic indicators have proved that we have observed a green revolution period in association with these project. The project, which was basically an irrigation project, has already contributed significantly in terms of agriculture growth, job opportunities and improved standards of living of the people.

Mangla reservoir had gross storage capacity of 5.88 maf, which has now reduced to 4.68 maf. The reduction due to sediment deposition is about 20 per cent.The plant has generating capacity of 1000 MW. Now, with the raising of additional 30 ft water, storage capacity would be enhanced by 2.9 maf and addition power generation of almost 180 mw or 774 gwh would be available. The Mangla Dam has so for contributed a benefit of more then Rs100 billion in the development of country.

Neelum-Jhelum project: The project envisages the diversion of river Neelum at Noseri 41 km upstream Muzaffarabad and out falling in Jhelum near Chatter Class 22 km down stream of Muzaffarabad. Feasibility studies and engineering design has been completed. Completion period of the project is 8 1/2 years. Length of tunnel would be 28.5 km and the cost of the project is about $1531 million. Another very important issue is that Pakistan has to maintain its legal right over the water of river Jhelum and if Neelum-Jhelum project was not started immediately, serious legal complications may arise. China has offered a handsome package involving around a billion dollars to construct Neelum-Jhelum project. Earlier, in this year, Wapda had offered to make available Rs15 billion from its own resources and wanted the federal government to arrange a similar amount on a war footing basis. So there are multiple options to materialize the project.

Kohalla project: This is also run-of-river project and project site is located at Dhal Chattian 22 km from Muzaffarabad upstream on Jhelum and powerhouse is at Barsala 7 km from Kohalla. Pre-feasibility studies have been completed. Interim report on feasibility has also been prepared. The completion period is about nine years at the cost of $1381 million.

Apart from these mega projects, WAPDA has included many other projects e.g. New Bong 74 MW, Gulpur 60 mw, Rajdhani 86 mw, Chakhoti 123 mw, Abbasian 244 mw, Harrihgel 53 mw, Kotli 97 mw in its Vision 2025 and in power generation policy-2002. As far as AJK is concerned, exploration and exploitation of hydropower potential is its top priority and government is committed in chanelizing and materializing all the resources. There are many projects of micro, small and medium size, which are under considerations. Batar 4.8 mw, Kathai 2.4 mw, Batdhara 10.2 mw, Riali-1 1.6 mw, Riali-2 4.9 mw and Dhakari 3.2 mw are some of the project, which could be implemented in near future.

There are five basic elements, which are vital for the exploitation of any resource and/or implementation of any development plan: viability, technology, methodology, human resources/ technical expertise and capital Investment.

China and some southeastern countries have developed their indigenous technology in the field of hydropower generation, which is cost effective. Especially, the China has achieved the great success by reducing the cost per MW to the limits of below $1 million in addition to short construction periods. We may take the benefit of this technology. As far as arrangement of capital investment is concerned, following are the options:

i. Community Participation; ii. Public Sector; iii. Private Sector; iv. Public Private Partnerships (3Ps).

Among above, the public/private enterprise is a new emerging concept, and being successfully implemented in many social and development ventures all over the world. Public- private joint ventures may pool the distinct resources under one roof and large projects may be initiated. New power generation policy has facilitated and offered many incentives to such partnerships. There is a need to establish such partnerships on a broader base.

Summary of the last ten years operation would reveal that:

i. Around 2000 projects have been completed in 121 countries; ii. Around $600 billion private capital invested.; iii. About two/ third of this investment is in green field projects; iv. Average annual growth rate is 5 per cent; v. 3P activities now moving into provincial and municipal tiers.

Above all, if energy is made at reasonable cost for the future development of the country, and urgent consideration of hydropower development is imperative. It will provide cheap electricity, the citizen will get relief and industrial and agricultural sector would be benefited because this is the only source of energy available in abundance in AJ&K. The surplus energy produced by AJK may cater the demand of the adjoining areas of Pakistan.

(The writer is Chief Engineer, AJK Electricity Deparment.)