Impressive Hydel Electricity Supply by WAPDA in the First Quarter of FY 2023-24
This marks an increase of 1.788 billion units compared to the previous year and has saved the national exchequer a significant Rs. 50 billion that would have been spent on expensive imported furnace oil for electricity generation
Karobar
In the initial quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24, the hydel electricity landscape in Pakistan has witnessed a substantial upturn. The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has remarkably contributed 15.002 billion units of hydel electricity to the National Grid, marking a significant increase of 1.788 billion units when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
Boost in hydel electricity generation has delivered substantial financial relief.
The national exchequer saving an impressive Rs. 50 billion that would have otherwise been expended on the costly production of electricity through imported residual furnace oil (RFO). This announcement was made through an official statement issued on Thursday.
Several key factors have attributed to this heightened hydel generation, including improved hydrology, enhanced operational and maintenance practices at WAPDA hydel power stations, and the resumption of electricity generation from the Neelum Jhelum Hydel Power Station in August of the current year.
Delving into the specifics of WAPDA's hydel electricity contribution during the first quarter of fiscal year 2023-24, the notable statistics include 6839.27 million units from the Tarbela Hydel Power Station, 2859.67 million units from the Tarbela 4th Extension, 2229.24 million units from Ghazi Barotha, 1113.45 million units from Mangla, 707.62 million units from Neelum Jhelum, 317.66 million units from Warsak, and 270.27 million units from the Chashma Hydel Power Station. Additionally, other hydel power stations under WAPDA collectively generated 664.97 million units.
WAPDA's hydel generation stands out as the most cost-effective
It's worth highlighting that environmentally friendly source of electricity in Pakistan, with a generation cost of approximately Rs. 3.51 per unit, significantly lower than the national average determined tariff of Rs. 42.95 per unit for consumers using over 700 units.
Currently, WAPDA operates an impressive total of 22 hydel power stations, including the Neelum Jhelum station. Furthermore, WAPDA is actively pursuing an ambitious least-cost energy generation plan aimed at doubling its installed power generation capacity, reaching approximately 19,500 MW by 2029. This vision is set to materialize through the phased completion of mega projects currently in progress, including the Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, and the Tarbela 5th Extension Project, among others.
