Wapda chairman calls for completion of power projects

PESHAWAR: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Zafar Mahmood said on Monday that speedy completion of hydropower projects, including Golen Gol in Chitral, was a must to resolve energy crisis and lower electricity tariff.

During a visit to 108 megawatt Golen Gol Hydropower Project, the official was informed that construction work on the project has been expedited.Wapda general manager (projects) north, project director and representatives of the project consultants and contractors were also present on the occasion.

During his visit, the chairman had a detailed round of various sites of the project, including weir (dam), diversion tunnel, powerhouse, switchyard and transmission line. He said the prime minister had directed Wapda authorities to provide 30 megawatt electricity to Chitral, which needed electricity urgently after damage to the hydel facility in the 2015 floods.

Expressing satisfaction at the civil works of the Golen Gol Hydropower Project, he directed the project authorities to expedite efforts on electro-mechanical works of the scheme. He said that timely completion of the transmission line was also important so that electricity, generated by the project could be added to the national grid.

The chairman expressed the hope that Golen Gol project would help bridge the gap between electricity demand and supply and also play an important role in economic and social development of the remote Chitral district.

The Golen Gol Hydropower Project is being constructed on Golen Gol River, a tributary of Mastuj River. On completion, the project will contribute 442 million units of low-cost hydel electricity to the national grid per annum.