The hydroelectric power stations owned and operated by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) generated the highest-ever electricity during the peak hours at the end of July as WAPDA hydropower generation crossed the 8000MW mark for the first time in Pakistan.
WAPDA delivered as much as 8158MW of electricity to the National Grid during peak hours on July 31, 2019. This was an increase of about 600MW compared with that of previous years. This increased share of hydroelectricity in the National Grid is the result of maximum power generation from Tarbela Power Station, Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project and Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project.
The statistics of the record days hydropower generation during the peak hours show that Tarbela generated 3496MW, Mangla Power Station 280MW, Tarbela 4th Extension 1410MW, Ghazi Barotha 1450MW and Neelum Jhelum 978MW while other hydro power stations cumulatively shared 544MW to the National Grid.
The installed capacity of WAPDA hydro power stations has risen to 9389MW with phased completion of its three mega hydropower projects – namely the 969MW-Neelum Jhelum, the 1410MW-Tarbela 4th Extension, and the 108MW-Golen Gol – allowing hydro generation to touch new peaks beyond 8000 MW with increased water flows, raised level of water reservoirs and increased water indent by Indus River System Authority (IRSA).
