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PTIs hydel vision

By Editorial
Updated Oct 05, 2014 01:52pm

One of the better things that the PTI government in KP has done is to give a new push to microhydel power generation
schemes.
Most recently, their attempts to pursue the Gorkin Matiltan hydropower project (84MW) in Swat has met with resistance in the Central
Development Working Party, a government department tasked with approving projects whose cost is less than Rs3bn.
Members of the CDWP, which is run by the PML-N federal government, say the project cost is too high, and that the cost of the electricity it
will generate is also too high for a hydel project. They compare this project with another one in KP which was completed at slightly below the
cost of Gorkin Matiltan.
It is hard to avoid the impression that the resistance to this project is political. If the CDWP members, which is chaired by the deputy
chairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, are serious about comparing the project costs of Gorkin Matiltan with that of Duber
Khwar, they should also note that the latter was begun more than a decade ago.
The first electricity ever generated in the territories we now call Pakistan was from a microhydel scheme in Renala Khurd. The next larger
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The first electricity ever generated in the territories we now call Pakistan was from a microhydel scheme in Renala Khurd. The next larger
power generation was also a microhydel scheme in Malakand valley, built by the British in the 1920s.
There was a vision to provide much of Pakistans power needs through myriad such schemes in the canals and mountains, but it fell by the
wayside with the arrival of American aid in the form of mega dams. The PTI government has recently given new life to the vision, and is
taking concrete steps on the ground to implement it.
In return, the PML-N government, which never raised concerns about the cost of generation from the Nandipur project, is obstructing the
scheme, arguing its costs are too high. Again, it is hard not to see this as obstructionist politics standing in the way of reviving a promising
vision, and innovative approaches, to solving Pakistans power crisis.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2014

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Comments (19)
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One Nation
Oct 05, 2014 08:54am

Of course, PML-N does not want PTI to deliver in KPK so that they can have some more material for another white paper.
Reply

Recommend 0

I. Ahmed
Oct 05, 2014 10:08am

The only thing KPK government has to do is to increase the budget for Gorkin Matiltan hydropower project from Rs. 3 billion to Rs.
44 billion (ala metro project) and hand over Rs. 41 billion to PML-N government specifically Nawaz & Co. then the deputy chairman
of planning commission Mr. Ahsan Iqbal will immediately approve it.
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of planning commission Mr. Ahsan Iqbal will immediately approve it.

Reply

Recommend 0

Ahmad
Oct 05, 2014 01:50pm

This project will not get approval from fed government unless it has commissions for them. In Pakistan they think the project which
doesn't have commissions is not feasible.
Reply

Recommend 0

Aziz
Oct 05, 2014 02:13pm

Is PNL-N serious about solving the energy crisis? Or will it continue to block schemes where they do not benefit even it means a
loss to the country. The more they do these things the more they will alienate themselves from the voters. Shameful and politically
immature behaviour.
Reply

Recommend 0

roarwali
Oct 05, 2014 02:35pm

PML N will try every cheap means to stop welfare and development projects under the auspices of PTI in KPK.
Reply

Recommend 0

usman786
Oct 05, 2014 02:43pm

I believe that this amount is estimate. actual figure will be determined by quotes from bidders. It can be hi or low.
Reply

Recommend 0

Amir Saeed
Oct 05, 2014 03:06pm

I am not surprised. What else do you expect from Ahsan Iqbal.

Reply

Recommend 0

saad saeed
Oct 05, 2014 04:48pm

Shame on you Mr. Ahsan Iqbal

Reply

Recommend 0

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Fawad Ali Shah

Oct 05, 2014 05:59pm

What were you expecting from PMLn? Do they even talk about merit? They can't do anything without nepotism and favouritism.
'Merit' is not in their blood.
Reply

Recommend 0

Mubasher ul Hassan
Oct 05, 2014 07:18pm

Pmln always creates hurdles against such projects those uplift the poor of the country. They politicise every project started by PTI.
we should condemn these kinds of nonsensess.
Reply

Recommend 0

AMR
Oct 05, 2014 08:24pm

Great Job PTI..

The hydal generation is the best of the best solution. for solving energy crisis. I expect Ahsan iqbal to behave more sensibly and
leave political bickerings for the greater good. And i also urge PTI to offer its full support to kalabagh dam. It seems PMLN have no
objection to kalabagh dam construction however they are too scared to displease the PPP and ANP by approving it. Crooks ..
Reply

Recommend 0

MOHAMMED SHUAIB SHEIKH

Oct 05, 2014 10:31pm

@AMR PMLN should not obstruct such projects if they are economically viable but have you commented on IMRAN/QADRI
obstructing $34 Billion Chinese investment in Pakistan?
Reply

Recommend 0

Dilectus
Oct 05, 2014 10:53pm

@MOHAMMED SHUAIB SHEIKH - Because those $35 Billion were not investment but loans what many people call. Besides Govt
never gave any details about the so called "investment" which made it even more suspicious.
Reply

Recommend 0

Ahmad
Oct 06, 2014 02:16am

I think its important to clarify a few things here. KPK government has its own government entity known as sarhad hydel
development organization (SHYDO) that has the authority to sanction hydel projects of upto 5 MW without approval from Federal
government. However, since the begining of PTI government in KPK, the KPK government has not initiated any hydel project in the
public sector.
The point here is that even though if we were to believe that the federal government is not supporting KPK government in pursing
its hydel policy. The PTI government still has a lot of room for production of micro hydroelectricity, since there are more than
atleast 300 localities that fall under the of producing 5MW or less, however, we have failed to see any progress on these projects.
Reply

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Reply

Recommend 0

AMR
Oct 06, 2014 08:51pm

@MOHAMMED SHUAIB SHEIKH do U still doubt the economical viability of kalabagh dam!!. would u care to think of huge loss by
the floods in 2010,2011 2013,2014. Is it not the high time to invest in hydal. Can u name a single big dam made after Ayubs time.
Reply

Recommend 0

roarwali
Oct 07, 2014 12:04am

@Ahmad 365 small dams have been initiated this year. A few have been completed like the one in Kalam. Constructing small dams
is a good start but why not 80 megawatt dam is not being allowed by the federal gov't ? Just because it's in KPK and the initiative of
PTI.
Reply

Recommend 0

Azhar Panni
3 days ago

Rs 3 bln ($ 30 mln) is just nothing when compared with $ 233 mln cost of same capacity 84 MW hydel plant recently completed in
AJK in private sector.
Reply

Recommend 0

Shaukat Javed
a day ago

Of course, PML-N Government does not want to solve electricity crisis & develop Pakistani economy by having economical power
generation. PML-N's Ahsan Iqbal must compare it with so called grate achievement of "Nandipur Power Project" by Punjab
Garment.
Reply

Recommend 0

Topak Khan
about 13 hours ago

Dear Dawn, the previous provincial government came up with a 10 year Action Plan for power sector in 2010. The PTI actually
slowed down progress on that plan and here you are giving them credit for "new push"? Please do your research we expect better
from you. But nonetheless shame on PMLN government for the dirty politics. regards,
Reply

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