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PTIs hydel visionBy EditorialUpdated 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 generationschemes.

Most recently, their attempts to pursue the Gorkin Matiltan hydropower project (84MW) in Swat has met with resistance in the CentralDevelopment 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 itwill generate is also too high for a hydel project. They compare this project with another one in KP which was completed at slightly below thecost 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 deputychairman of the Planning Commission, Ahsan Iqbal, are serious about comparing the project costs of Gorkin Matiltan with that of DuberKhwar, 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 largerpower 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 thewayside with the arrival of American aid in the form of mega dams. The PTI government has recently given new life to the vision, and istaking 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 thescheme, arguing its costs are too high. Again, it is hard not to see this as obstructionist politics standing in the way of reviving a promisingvision, 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 NationOct 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.

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I. AhmedOct 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 chairmanof planning commission Mr. Ahsan Iqbal will immediately approve it.

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of planning commission Mr. Ahsan Iqbal will immediately approve it.

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AhmadOct 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 whichdoesn't have commissions is not feasible.

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AzizOct 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 aloss to the country. The more they do these things the more they will alienate themselves from the voters. Shameful and politicallyimmature behaviour.

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roarwaliOct 05, 2014 02:35pm

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

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usman786Oct 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.

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Amir SaeedOct 05, 2014 03:06pm

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

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saad saeedOct 05, 2014 04:48pm

Shame on you Mr. Ahsan Iqbal

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Fawad Ali ShahOct 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.

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Mubasher ul HassanOct 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.

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AMROct 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 andleave political bickerings for the greater good. And i also urge PTI to offer its full support to kalabagh dam. It seems PMLN have noobjection to kalabagh dam construction however they are too scared to displease the PPP and ANP by approving it. Crooks ..

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MOHAMMED SHUAIB SHEIKHOct 05, 2014 10:31pm

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

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DilectusOct 05, 2014 10:53pm

@MOHAMMED SHUAIB SHEIKH - Because those $35 Billion were not investment but loans what many people call. Besides Govtnever gave any details about the so called "investment" which made it even more suspicious.

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AhmadOct 06, 2014 02:16am

I think its important to clarify a few things here. KPK government has its own government entity known as sarhad hydeldevelopment organization (SHYDO) that has the authority to sanction hydel projects of upto 5 MW without approval from Federalgovernment. However, since the begining of PTI government in KPK, the KPK government has not initiated any hydel project in thepublic sector.

The point here is that even though if we were to believe that the federal government is not supporting KPK government in pursingits hydel policy. The PTI government still has a lot of room for production of micro hydroelectricity, since there are more thanatleast 300 localities that fall under the of producing 5MW or less, however, we have failed to see any progress on these projects.

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AMROct 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 bythe 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.

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roarwaliOct 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 damsis 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 ofPTI.

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Azhar Panni3 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 inAJK in private sector.

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Shaukat Javeda day ago

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

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Topak Khanabout 13 hours ago

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

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