Islamabad:
The restoration work in the Neelum-Jhelum (NJHPC) hydroelectric project would take two more years to complete, said Friday the Minister of Water Resources, Muhammad Moeen, to the National Assembly, as a committee that investigates the problems
It was expected to finish your report soon.
Speaking during the time of the question, the minister said that the main contract to carry out the repair work on the project, which was closed in May 2024, had not yet been granted in accordance with the government instructions.
Until now, RS6.6 billion were spent to repair the project’s tail race tunnel (TRT). After the TRT was solved, the plant resumed complete operations in March 2024, generating 969 megawatts of electricity. However, the plant had to be closed again two months later due to problems in the main race tunnel (HRT), “he said.
He said the project is currently working under a provisional rate on a “carry and payment” basis. There are no fixed payments or investment yields. The company is managing its expenses through its own resources and the payments pending energy sales to the central energy purchase agency (CPPA-G) “.
According to the National Power Control Center (NPCC), the minister declared that the country has enough energy generation to meet demand, and a load zipper is not being made due to shortage. He added that the local electricity supply had not been affected by the closure.
The minister informed the Chamber that the project consultants had been told to review and improve maintenance procedures to avoid such problems in the future. He emphasized the importance of operating and maintaining the plant according to team manufacturer guidelines to avoid unexpected closures.
