LAHORE: The hydel power stations of the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) produced 33,658 million units of electricity in 2016 compared to 31,840 million units in 2015, registering an increase of 1,818 million units (5.7 %).
At present, WAPDA owns 19 hydel power stations with cumulative generation capacity of 6,902MW, which is about one-third of the total installed capacity in Pakistan.
“This additional contribution of hydel electricity to the national grid helped minimise load shedding in the country. The main contributing factors behind this hydel generation include water release from the reservoirs on the indent of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) and effective operation and consistent maintenance of the hydel power stations by the WAPDA,” said Rana Muhammad Abid, director public relations WAPDA.
It is worth mentioning that hydropower is the cheapest, cleanest and environment-friendly source of electricity, which plays a significant role in stabilising electricity tariff in the country.
According to the data of the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) regarding per unit cost of electricity generated from various sources during fiscal year 2015-16, it is Rs.2.15 for hydel, which is far less than per unit cost of electricity generated from all other sources.
In comparison to hydel electricity, it is Rs 9.07 per unit for gas, Rs 11.05 for residual furnace oil (RFO), Rs 17.96 for high speed diesel (HSD), Rs 12.08 for coal, Rs 6.86 for nuclear, Rs 16.63 for wind, Rs 11.95 for bagasse, Rs 16.95 for solar, Rs 11.27 for re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG), and Rs 10.55 per unit for electricity imported from Iran.
It may be mentioned that hydroelectric plants, the world over, have average life span of 30 to 35 years, but the WAPDA is still operating its hydel power stations, a majority of which are far older than their average life. “Despite ageing factor, the hydel power stations are still capable to be run at their maximum generation capacities, added Muhammad Abid.
