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Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
K-IV project: A number of key targets achieved: Wapda chief
KARACHI: Wapda Chairman Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) has announced that Wapda has succeeded in achieving a number of key targets on Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme (K-IV project) and concerted efforts are being made to complete Phase-I of the project in June 2026. During his visit to the Project here on Thursday, he further said that prompt availability of the required funds is the key for completion of the Project as per the schedule. The Chairman had a detailed visit of various work fronts to review construction progress. These work fronts included intake and pumping stations at Kinjhar Lake and water conveyance system comprising pressurized pipelines being laid from Kinjhar Lake to Karachi. The project team along with the Consultants and the Contractors briefed the Chairman about progress on all eight contracts including intake, pumping stations, pipelines, water reservoirs and filtration facilities. Two critical activities i.e. inserting two water carrier pipelines in sleeve pipes at main railways crossing and hydrostatic testing on the first 15 Km of the pipeline have recently been completed, while the second hydrostatic testing for another 25 Km single pipeline will be carried out in June. Timelines for the remaining works and plans to achieve the targets as well as financial progress and requirement of funds were also discussed during the briefing. Cumulative physical progress on the Project is 63 percent. Rs. 75.21 billion have so far been spent on the Project, while PC-I of the Project's Phase-I amounts to Rs. 126.4 billion. Underlining the importance of K-IV Project for Karachi, the Chairman directed the Project Team to excel construction activities to meet the timelines. He also directed them to maintain close liaison with other stakeholders for timely arrangement of power supply by the Government of Sindh and augmentation of the water distribution system by Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). K-IV Project envisages providing 650 million gallon per day (MGD) water to Karachi from Kinjhar Lake. The Project is planned to be completed in two phases. At present, Wapda is constructing Phase-I to supply 260 MGD water to Karachi. Phase-II, when implemented, will also augment another 390 MGD water to the system for Karachi. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Wapda chairman reviews work on Dasu hydropower project
PESHAWAR: Chairman Wapda Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) visited Dasu Hydropower Project on Thursday, being constructed on River Indus in Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. During his day-long visit, the chairman reviewed construction progress on key sites, which included River Diversion System, Main Dam, Power House and relocated Karakoram Highway (KKH-1). The project team, comprising GM/PD Dasu Hydropower Project, the consultants and the contractors, briefed the chairman about site-wise targets and achievements. It was briefed that construction activities on 20 work fronts are progressing at a good pace. Several critical targets have recently been completed, while a number of milestones are about to be achieved. As per the details, excavation of right and left abutment of the Main Dam has been completed. Likewise, extended right bypass tunnel and right-side open channel are also ready for operation to pass excess water during the high flow season. After completion of the upstream and downstream starter (coffer) dams, excavation of the Main Dam's foundation is in progress and will be completed in August 2025. Yet another critical activity of placing Roller Compact Concrete (RCC) in the Main Dam is likely to be started by December this year. Excavation of the Power House will be completed in January 2026, while 25 Km-long KKH-1 with seven tunnels and three bridges will also be completed in February 2026. Electricity generation from the Project is scheduled in 2027. Speaking on the occasion, the chairman urged upon the consultants and the contractors to expedite their efforts for completion of the project as per the timelines. In second leg of the visit, the chairman participated in a Jirga with local elders. Detailed deliberations were made on payment issues under Enhanced Self-Managed Relocation (ESMR) Package and implementation of Local Area Development Schemes (LADS). The chairman said that the Wapda stands committed for socio-economic development of the people hailing from the Project area. He added the Wapda is spending hefty amount on resettlement of the locals, environmental management and social development in the Project area. He directed the project management to keep close liaison with the locals to address grievances. It is important to note that the 4320 MW-Dasu Hydropower Project is planned to be completed in two stages. At present, the Wapda is constructing stage-I of 2160 MW and annual energy generation of 12 billion units of clean, green and affordable electricity. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Work on Neelum-Jhelum not to resume anytime soon
A partially damaged wall of the Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project is pictured following an Indian missile strike in Nausari, about 40km from Muzaffarabad. Photo: AFP The work on the 969 megaWatt Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Plant (NJHP) in Azad Jammu and Kashmjir (AJK), which has been stopped for over a year because of technical faults, is unlikely to resume in the next financial year 2025-26, according to a report submitted to the power regulator. In the report submitted to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) has said that two power plants — Jamshoro Coal Power Plant and Shahtaj — have been considered for commissioning prior to the start of the fiscal year. However, due to ongoing technical issues, the NJHP has not been included within the forecast horizon, it says. It is learnt that the government has already spent Rs500 billion to set up this plant. Because of the fault, the work shut down on May 1, 2024. Furthermore, the NJHP — located at Nauseri near Line of Control (LoC) was damaged in Indian shelling on Wednesday. On Thursday, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Sajjad Ghani visited the site to assess the damage to the structures and installations, and meet the staff. Speaking on the occasion, the Wapda chief said that Indian attack that damaged the hydraulic power unit 1 of intake gates, structure at de-sander units and residential camp, was in violation of the international laws including the Geneva Conventions. Electricity demand Meanwhile, the CPPA-G has also submitted a forecast of electricity demand in upcoming financial year — a key determinant in setting the end-consumer tariffs, with any fluctuation having a direct impact on tariff adjustments. It forecast the increase of 2.8 to 5 % in the electricity demand based on historical elasticity estimates, and GDP projections by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The projections form the basis for the normal and high demand scenarios used in this analysis. The report outlines seven scenarios, specifically demand, hydrology, fuel prices, and exchange rates. Across the analysed scenarios, indigenous fuels constitute between 55 to 58% of the overall energy mix, while clean fuels contribute between 52 and 56%. To account for potential variability, two distinct demand scenarios have been developed based on extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders. The normal demand scenario reflects a projected 2.8% increase over Jan-Dec 2024, while the high demand scenario reflects a projected 5% increase. Power tariffs Fuel prices are a key driver of the fuel cost component within the Power Purchase Price (PPP). Accordingly, the forecast incorporates assumptions for normal fuel prices based on reputable data sources to ensure accuracy and relevance. The CPPA-G has projected the PPP at Rs26.70 per unit based on a high exchange rate of Rs300 per dollar, low hydrology, standard fuel prices, and normal demand. Another scenario, which assumes normal demand and an exchange rate of Rs280 per dollar, results in a low PPP at Rs24.75 per kWh. For imported fuels, price assumptions are based on market data from Argus Media and Plans, while local fuel prices are informed by inputs from NEPRA, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), and the Thar Coal and Energy Board (TCEB).
Business Recorder
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Indian strike: Wapda chief assesses NJHP dam structure damage
ISLAMABAD: In the wake of brutal attack by India on dam structure of 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, Wapda Chairman Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) visited the dam site located at Nauseri near the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The visit was aimed at observing and assessing the damage done to the structures, installations and staff residential camp besides boosting the morale of Wapda officers and officials performing their duties at the Dam site. The project is non-operational since last year due to damage to the tunnel and work was in progress on its rehabilitation. Acting Member Power Wapda and CEO Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company Muhammad Arfan Miana, Chief Engineer/PD Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project and Chief Engineer (Operation and Maintenance) were also present on the occasion. 46 injured: 31 innocent civilians martyred in Indian strikes: ISPR During the detailed visit of the Dam, De-sanders and Intake, the Chairman was apprised that the Indian shelling started at 1:15 a.m. on May 7, and continued for about six hours till 7:15 a.m. Consequently, hydraulic power unit 1 of intake gates was damaged in addition to reinforcement concrete structure at De-sander 1 and 3. Residential camp was also targeted including ambulance and medical facility. The Chairman was also briefed about the efforts made by the WAPDA officials for securing the critical equipment installed at the dam structure and the control room. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman strongly condemned the Indian attack on Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project, adding that international laws including protocol additional to the Geneva Convention 12 August 1949 do not allow an attack on water structures even during full-scale war between two states. He also appreciated the courage and devotion of the WAPDA officers and officials in line of their duties. Talking to media, Chairman Wapda stated India's strike targeted not just the dam's structure but extended ominously to the civilian neighborhoods nestled around it. It wasn't merely about disrupting power; it was an assault on safety, a gamble with catastrophe. 'The Neelum-Jhelum project holds a vast reservoir—an essential reserve for our energy needs. Damaging it could have triggered devastating floods, widespread power outages, and mass casualties,' he said. As engineers in hard hats and military personnel assessed the impact, Wapda's technical teams worked around the clock to inspect tunnels, turbines, and walls for signs of structural compromise. Despite the severity of the attack, a sliver of relief came from the fact that no lives were lost. 'It could have been much worse,' the chairman admitted. 'A breach in the reservoir might've drowned entire villages.' The Indian strike, he asserted, was not just a military act—it was a violation of international humanitarian law. 'Targeting civilians near a power facility violates every ethical and legal norm. This wasn't a misfire. It was deliberate,' he said with conviction. Although no foreign engineers were on site at the time, and WAPDA's role remains confined to generation—not grid operations—concerns over broader vulnerabilities loomed large. As he concluded his statement, the chairman praised Pakistan's armed forces for their rapid and resolute response. 'They acted swiftly to secure the area and prevent further escalation. But this aggression cannot go unanswered on the global stage,' he warned. 'Targeting critical civilian infrastructure isn't just an attack on Pakistan. It threatens the fragile balance of our region.' Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project was completed in 2018 on River Neelum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Project comprises of three main components - a dam at Nauseri, an underground Waterway System consisting of 52-Km long tunnels and an underground Power House at Chattar Kalas. After its completion, the project contributed 19.562 billion units of green and clean electricity to the National Grid. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
River flows surge across Pakistan
India's efforts to choke river water flow into Pakistan appear to have failed as total inflows in the country's major rivers surged past 236,000 cusecs, according to data gathered on Saturday. The latest figures reveal that the cumulative inflow in rivers across Pakistan has reached 236,000 cusecs, with River Chenab at Head Marala alone receiving 66,000 cusecs. At Mangla, the inflow in the River Jhelum was recorded at 50,000 cusecs. The River Indus at Tarbela saw an inflow of 83,000 cusecs, while the Kabul River at Nowshera recorded an inflow of 36,000 cusecs. Currently, the total usable water storage in Pakistan's major reservoirs stands at 1.979 million acre-feet. Besides, around 2,000 cusecs of water is flowing into the Arabian Sea. The latest water situation paints a picture of abundance despite New Delhi's recent threats and hostile rhetoric surrounding the Indus Waters Treaty. According to the Wapda, the inflow at Tarbela stood at 83,400 cusecs, with an outflow of 55,000 cusecs. At Mangla, the inflow was recorded at 50,100 cusecs, while the outflow was 32,000 cusecs. In the case of the River Chenab at Head Marala, the inflow was noted at 40,900 cusecs and the outflow at 26,700 cusecs. The Kabul River at Nowshera recorded both an inflow and outflow of 36,700 cusecs. At Chashma Barrage, inflows were logged at 101,700 cusecs and outflows at 78,000 cusecs. As for reservoir levels, the water level at Tarbela on May 3 was 1,435.66 feet with a storage capacity of 658,000 acre-feet. At Mangla, the water level stood at 1,134.80 feet, with the reservoir holding 1.164 million acre-feet. The Chashma Reservoir recorded a water level of 645.50 feet with 157,000 acre-feet of stored water. Combined, the three reservoirs - Tarbela, Mangla and Chashma - held 1.979 million acre-feet of usable water. A Wapda spokesperson clarified that the inflow and outflow figures for Tarbela, Chashma, Mangla, and Nowshera reflect 24-hour average flow rates, whereas data from other stations was recorded at 6:00 am this morning. Meanwhile, the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Saturday released 190,200 cusecs of water from various rim stations with an inflow of 236,700 cusecs.
