Press Release: Three hydel power stations operated by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) delivered 110.190 million units of hydel electricity to the national grid today as compared to 64.037 million units generated on the same day last year thereby registering an increased contribution of 46.153 million units to the system. This increase in hydel power generation is the result of increased water releases from the dams by IRSA.


According to the data, Tarbela hydel power station generated 43.809 million units compared to 17.882 million units on the same day last year. Ghazi Barotha hydel power station produced 25.740 million units compared to 14.455 million units on the same day last year, whereas 24 million units were generated by Mangla hydel power station compared to 15.760 million units on the same day last year.


It is important to mention that the basic purpose of dams is to provide water for agriculture on the requirements of the provinces, whereas hydel electricity generation is merely the by-product. The electricity generation from hydel power stations depends upon water indents of IRSA. This increased quantum of electricity was produced today due to increased water outflows on the same day last year.


The hydel power generation capacity of WAPDA stands at about 7000 megawatt (MW) – about one third of the total installed capacity in the country. It is a matter of great satisfaction that despite some of hydel power stations being as old as 50 years, the generation capacity of WAPDA has stayed intact due to proper maintenance and efficient operation of these stations.


WAPDA contributes more than 30 billion units of low-cost electricity to the national grid per annum. The role being played by hydel electricity in keeping the power tariff at present level can be measured from the fact that according to data of January 2015, per unit generation cost of hydel electricity is merely Rs. 2.62 on an average as compared to Rs.7.43 for gas, Rs.12.91 for coal, Rs.12.98 for baggase, Rs.17.58 for furnace oil, Rs.23.43 for diesel (HSD), Rs. 5.98 for nuclear and Rs.11.62 for wind. As per data the basket price of electricity in the system stands at Rs.10.03 per unit

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