ISLAMABAD – China is equally interested in the development of Azad Jammuand Kashmir, in Pakistan’s territory, under China-Pakistan EconomicCorridor (CPEC).
The Chinese government has already agreed to develop 700 megawatts AzadPattan hydropower project under the CPEC’s framework. According to a reportpublished by Gwadar Pro Net on Saturday, officials of the two countries attheir recent meetings decided to include this project in the list of CPEC’sapproved projects.
The construction work on this project will be started early next year, withfinancing in Chinese currency. Azad Pattan hydropower project is arun-of-the-river pondage scheme on the River Jhelum, in the Azad Jammu andKashmir, with capability of four hours of daily peaking.
It is located near the Azad Pattan bridge upstream of 720 MW Karothydropower project and downstream of 640 MW Mahal hydropower project. It ispart of the River Jhelum hydel cascade.
The project will deliver approximately 3.3 billion units of clean,renewable energy in the grid upon its completion in 2026. Being developedunder the 2002 power policy, the project will be transferred free of costto the government after the term. Another two hydropower stations underCPEC framework will generate 1,620MW electricity and are likely to startcommercial operation in next three years.
The under-construction Karot Hydropower station with an installed capacityof 760 MW at river Jhelum at a juncture of Azad Kashmir and Punjab provinceis expected to start commercial operation by December 2021.
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While Suki Kinari Hydropower Station with an installed capacity of 870 MWbeing constructed at River Kunhar, Naran in Mansehra District of KhyberPakhtunkhwa is likely to start commercial operation by December 2022.
International hydropower Association (IHA) ranked Pakistan 3rd in the worldfor newly installed hydropower capacity.
IHA also stated in its report that Pakistan manages to add 2487 MW ofenvironment-friendly hydel electricity in 2018 following China and Brazilthat added 8540 MW and 3866 MW to their systems respectively, report added.
