Last modified: 2016-12-01
Abstract
Each molecule of water for power is a popular conception. Owing to its unmatched merits associated with hydelpower generation over the other modes of power production such as being efficient, economical, cheap, affordable, safe, sustainable, cost effective, reliable, clean, green and above all having attainability of carbon credits from UN, water is duly considered second oil in the on going 21st century. In this back drop, the state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir stands abundantly blessed & endowed with one of nature's riches-- water that is flowing in the its four rivers Jhelum ( the most voluminous river of AJK), Neelum, Poonch & Kunhar in addition to numerous perennial nullahs, streams & brooks stretched along the territories of AJK. 1114.4 MW of hydro electricity being generated in AJK (Mangla power Station 1000MW, New Bong Escape 84 MW & Jagran-1 30.4 MW.) is in the system through national grid. Whereas her own demand in peak summer season is 350 MW. 17 macro hydelpower projects mostly on run- of- river mode & some on run of Nullah mode of cumulative capacity 7566 MW are in different phases of development and will offer a way out of the worst energy crisis when become operational. It is, indeed, heartening to know that currently as much as 83 plus MW of electricity generated through 16 micro, mini & small hydropower stations is in the system & projects ranging from 50 KW (0.05 MW) to 49.5MW are effectively in various implementation stages from bankable feasibility studies to advance level of construction & further to commissioning mode. The water energy nexus in Azad Kashmir seams to go a long way towards bringing the share of hydropower generation in the complicated total energy mix of Pakistan to about 50 plus % from the current about 33%.