In 2023, Pakistan experienced significant progress in the hydropower and water sectors, marked by increased generation of hydel electricity and notable achievements in under-construction WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) projects.
WAPDA generated approximately 34 billion units of low-cost, clean, and green hydel electricity in 2023, reflecting a 2.2 billion-unit increase compared to the previous year. This enhanced hydel generation contributed to saving about Rs106 billion for the national exchequer, considering the cost savings compared to electricity generated through expensive imported fossil fuels.
Key details for hydel electricity generation in 2023 include:
Tarbela: 12.9 billion units
Tarbela 4th Extension: 4.4 billion units
Ghazi Barotha: 6.8 billion units
Mangla: 4.7 billion units
Neelum Jhelum: 1 billion units
Warsak: 0.8 billion units
Chashma: 0.9 billion units
Other WAPDA hydel power stations collectively generated 2.5 billion units.
The cost of WAPDA hydel electricity is reported to be Rs3.51 per unit, constituting about 30% of the total electricity supplied to the National Grid. WAPDA owns and operates 22 hydel power stations, with a cumulative generation capacity of 9459 Megawatts (MW).
Despite economic challenges, construction work on eight WAPDA projects continued without interruption in 2023. Notable achievements included the river diversion at the Dasu Hydropower Project in February 2023 and a successful test run for river diversion at the Diamer Basha Dam, diverting the River Indus. The Mohmand Dam Project is expected to achieve the milestone of river diversion in the next three to four years.
WAPDA is actively developing eight mega projects aimed at ensuring water, food, and energy security for the country. These projects are scheduled for completion in phases from 2024 to 2028-29. Upon completion, these projects will add 9.7 million acre-feet to the gross water storage capacity, and the hydel generation of WAPDA is projected to nearly double to 20,000 MW, representing an increase of approximately 10,000 MW over the next five years.