Water and Power Development Authority delivers 132.642 million units of electricity; 28.472 million more units generated due to increased water releases

Lahore, June 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) delivered 132.642 million units of hydel electricity to the national grid on May 31 in comparison to 104.17 million units generated on the same day last year. This increased contribution of 28.472 million units is the result of increased water releases from the dams by IRSA on the demand of provinces.

It is important to mention that dams are actually meant for water storage which is released for agriculture on the requirements of the provinces, whereas hydel electricity generation is the by-product. The electricity generation from hydel power stations operated by WAPDA depends upon water indents of IRSA.

It may be recalled that WAPDA delivers more than 30 billion units of low-cost electricity to the national grid per annum. The role being played by hydel electricity in keeping the power tariff at present level can be measured from the fact that according to data of January 2015, per unit generation cost of hydel electricity is merely Rs. 2.62 on an average as compared to Rs.7.43 for gas, Rs.12.91 for coal, Rs.12.98 for bagasse, Rs.17.58 for furnace oil, Rs.23.43 for diesel (HSD), Rs. 5.98 for nuclear and Rs.11.62 for wind. As per data the basket price of electricity in the system stands at Rs.10.03 per unit.

The hydel power generation capacity of WAPDA stands at about 7000 megawatt (MW), which is about one-third of the total installed capacity in the country. It is a matter of great satisfaction that despite some of hydel power stations being as old as 50 years, the generation capacity of WAPDA has stayed intact due to proper maintenance and efficient operation of hydel power stations by WAPDA.

For more information, contact:
Muhammad Abid Rana
Director Public Relations
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
G-32, WAPDA House, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99202633
Fax: +92-42-99203144
Cell: +92-333-4458293
Email: mabidrana@gmail.com
Website: www.wapda.gov.pk