LAHORE, APR 03 (DNA) – The Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, the third such recent project of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), would be inaugurated in the middle of current month, announced an official of Wapda.It has already inaugurated Golen Gol Hydropower Project in January and Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project in February this year.
“These three projects will add 2,487 megawatts of low-cost hydel electricity to the national grid,” Wapda’s Additional Chief Engineer (Dams) Shahid Hamid said.
He was giving a briefing on future challenges and prospects of water and power development in Pakistan during study tour of a delegation of the Command and Staff College, Quetta to the Wapda House on Monday.
Hamid pointed out that per capita water availability had decreased in Pakistan due to rapid growth in population and depleting water storage capacity of the reservoirs because of the natural phenomenon of sedimentation.
He regretted that Pakistan could store only 10% of its annual river flows against the world average of 40%.
“Wapda is committed to optimum development of water and hydroelectric power resources in the country and is working on a comprehensive strategy,” he said.
Hamid emphasised that the Indus cascade was Pakistan’s most precious asset which would help to add a big quantum of cheap hydel generation and water storages. He added that an additional millions of acres could be brought under irrigation because of construction of new reservoirs.
