Last modified: 2015-11-20
Abstract
It is beyond any iota of doubt that in the present day age 'Hydro' may it is hydro power or hydrocarbon is the x-factor behind the success story of a country.
70% of the total 4 million population is connected to the national grid in Azad Kashmir. Total power demand in AJK is 400 MW whereas more than 1000 MW of hydel electricity is generated and connected to national grid. Literacy rate in AJK is highest in Pakistan. The foreign exchange sent by overseas Kashmiris have sizeable proportion in the total foreign remittances received by GoP.
Energy mix of Pakistan is complicated one in the world. The input to the national grid consists of 7 to 8 different modes of generation of electricity with the following percentage share :
Thermal (by all means) = 65%
Hydel = 31%
Nuclear = 04%
100%
Gencos have worsened the energy outlook of the country which already stands power-crunched. However IPPs have maintained the same power production capacities with which they started operation. WAPDA fulfills its obligation for efficient O&M of its hydel power stations. The contrast between public sector thermal power producers in line with its hallmark and much-hyped Nandipur Thermal Power Plant and WAPDA Hydel Power Stations is food for thought for those who are real architects of power generation policies of Pakistan.
Azad Kashmir is a land with wonderful hydrology. It has four rivers and numerous perennial tributies, brooks, streams and nullahs. There are 20 macro hydel power projects with cumulative power capacity of 8980 MW in different phases of implementation.
Mangla Dam is the gigantic hydel power station of Azad Kashmir capable of delivering electricity more than its name plate capacity during high water months. Another large 969 MW Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project is fast inching towards completion.
Azad kashmir's rivers cascade is the 2nd largest after Indus cascade with 9000 MW identified capacity. Whereas micro hydel projects of cumulative capacity of nearly 1000 MW on run-of-nullahs modes are in different phases of implementation.
Hydroelectricity is, indeed, cheaper, clean and green mode of power generation and Azad Kashmir possesses ample opportunity to change energy mix of Pakistan by developing hydropower projects on fast track.