The fiscal year 2023–24, up to June, says Speaking on the occasion, there has been much improvement in the generation of green, clean, and low-cost hydel electricity in Pakistan. WAPDA specifically managed to ramp up its contribution to the National Grid as well as improve its progress in sustainable energy.
Record-Breaking Hydel Generation
The Pakistani government plans to produce impressive output from Hydel power stations.
In the same year, WAPDA has 22 Hydel Power Stations, and out of these stations, 34.436 billion units of electricity were generated for the National Grid in the fiscal year 2023–24, of which AE submitted 436 billion. This figure represents an upsurge of 3.266 billion units compared to the previous fiscal year of 2022–23.
Factors Behind the Increase
This was made possible mainly by the enhancement of the hydrology as well as the operation and maintenance of the Hydel power stations. These were headed in the direction of boosting the output and efficiency of Hydel power generation.
Economic Benefits
Huge Amounts of Money Would be Saved in the National Exchequer
The increase in hydel generation by 3.266 billion units saved the national exchequer approximately Rs 143.7 billion. This saving is calculated on the basis of the cost that is otherwise involved in the generation of the same amount of electricity through imported furnace oil.
Economical Electricity Generation
The Hydel Power Department still continues to be the most economical means of electricity generation in Pakistan. The installed generation capacity of WAPDA Hydel Power Stations, including the Neelum and Jhelum Hydel Power Projects, is almost 9500 MW. The NEPRA-approved hydel electricity tariff for WAPDA for the fiscal year 2023–24 is Rs 3.81 per unit. Hydel power contributes 30% of the total electricity that is supplied to the National Grid and helps significantly in bringing down the overall tariff for consumers.
Hydel Power Station Contributions in Detail
Major Contributors:
- Tarbela Hydel Power Station: The analysis was able to produce 13.424 billion units
- Tarbela 4th Extension: Created 4.672 billion units
- Ghazi Barotha: Generated 6.556 billion units
- Mangla: Generated 5.276 billion units
- Neelum-Jhelum Hydel Power Station: Produced 762 million units
Ther Contributions
Hydel power stations of WAPDA, excluding those with the KPK, generated 747 billion units, signifying that other stations contributed toward this goal as well.
Future Prospects
Expansion Plans
WAPDA is also in the process of efficient energy generation using a least-cost development strategy in order to enhance the portion of hydel electricity in the National Grid. Several megaprojects are currently under construction in the water and hydropower sectors, including: Several megaprojects are currently under construction in the water and hydropower sectors, including:
- Diamer Basha Dam
- Mohmand Dam
- Dasu Hydropower Project
- Tarbela 5th Extension
Projected Growth
These projects are planned to be completed in phases, and they will increase the hydel generation portfolio of WAPDA from 9500 MW to 20700 MW in the coming four to five years. This expansion will contribute to the addition of about 11,200 MW of clean, green, and low-cost hydel electricity to the National Grid.
Conclusion
Fiscal year 2023–24 has been a benchmark year of hydel electricity generation for Pakistan. They were successful in raising the generation of renewable power and giving the economy significant boosts for WAPDA. New and ongoing projects and future plans of expansion will let Pakin increase its sustainable energy capacity, hence promising a better and more economic energy future.
FAQs
Q1. How much additional hydel power was generated in 2023–24 compared to the previous year?
A1. The additional 3.2666 billion units the hydel power sector produced in the fiscal year 2023–24 were higher than the ones produced in 2022–23.
Q2. What are the main factors behind the increase in hydel power generation?
A2. This was due to the enhancement of hydrology, overall functionality, and management of the hydel power stations.
Q3. How much money did the increased hydel power generation save?
A3. This way, the augmentation of hydel power generation was beneficial for the economy and saved the national exchequer approximately Rs 143.7 billion.
Q4. What is the current installed generation capacity of WAPDA’s Hydel Power Stations?
A4. The total ground-mounted generation capacity is about 9500 MW.
Q5. What future projects are expected to increase hydel power generation in Pakistan?
A5. The planned projects are Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, and Tarbela 5th extension.
