Govt seeks finances for 2,800MW Patan hydropower project

[Naveed Yaseen]

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The government is seeking financial assistance from World Bank and Asian Development Bank to carry out feasibility study for construction of 2,800MW Patan hydropower project.

The scheme would be located on indus river about 4 km upstream of Patan village in Kohistan area NWFP. Main purpose of the scheme was to provide additional power to the national grid for meeting growing energy demand.

The project was identified as part of inventory and ranking study of hydropower potential on main rivers of Pakistan carried out by Montreal Engineering Company (MONECO) in 1981-84 under the assistance of Canadian Government through CIDA with the view to meet the long-term power demand of Pakistan.

The index capacity (1172 MW) of the project was originally determined by the MONECO was subsequently reviewed by Hydro Planning Organization on the basis of updated flow data determined the rated installed capacity as 2,800MW, annual energy 15,230GWh and plant factor 62 percent.

According to the scheme, the government would carry on field surveys and investigations, collecting of all relevant data, environmental impact assessment, detailed design of civil structures, detail design of electro-mechanical equipments, economic and financial analysis, general and technical specifications and others.

Officials in the ministry of water and power told Daily Times here on Friday that energy was an essential ingredient of socio-economic development and economic growth. Hydropower was perceived as an environment-friendly, low-cost source of electricity that relies on proven technology. Pakistan has been an energy-deficient country historically.

The government is accordingly giving priority to hydropower generation projects in both public and private sectors. The hilly areas of Pakistan were facing power shortage due to their geographical conditions. Although, there was huge potential of water resources in these hilly areas for power generation and other irrigation purposes, the government is taking full interest to use this potential for the benefits of the people especially in the same areas.

For generation power generation requirement, emphasis was laid on the development of indigenous resources i.e. hydro, coal, natural gas and nuclear. The power sector was on the fundamental infrastructure sectors in Pakistan, which required immediate enhancement in capacity to meet the economic growth targets. The power generation needs to be strengthened and expanded to fulfill its role in the future national economic growth. The installed power generation capacity is expected to increase from 20,843MW in 2008-09 to 24,701MW in 2009-10 with additional of 4,230MW.

The proposed project will play a leading role in bringing down the demand-supply gap of the country in future and would facilitate additional cheap hydropower generation, which will helpful in reduction of load shedding in the country. The implementation of Patan hydropower project is the attractive and viable potential option, which will help to improve the existing electric supply system and its reliability in Kohistan and adjacent areas. The project would be completed be completed in 24 months. The sponsoring agency was the ministry of water and power.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_1