NEPRA Grants Licences to New Hydro in Pakistan

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in Pakistan has approved generation licenses for two new hydropower projects in the country.

Saifco Hydropower Limited (SHPL) was granted a licence for the 106.2MW Shigo Kas project on the Panjkora River, and Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) was given a licence for the 10.8MW Jabori project on the Siran river. Both projects are located in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Shigo Kas project is being developed on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis by independent power producer SHPL, which is a joint venture of Saifco Group and China National Machinery Industry Corporation-Sinomach. The JV won an international bid to develop the project. It is expected to be completed by March 2024.

The Jabori project will feature two horizontal Francis Turbines and is expected online next month.

The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan offers a huge potential for the development of hydroelectric power. In order to attract the local and foreign investors to the province, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhvva formulated a policy for the development of hydropower.