Three KP hydropower projects set to generate 330 MW in two years

SWAT: Three major hydropower projects in Swat are expected to start producing a combined 330 megawatt (MW) of electricity within the next two years, according to provincial officials.

Secretary Energy and Power Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mohammad Zubair Khan, visited the project sites alongside the Chief Executive Officer of the Provincial Energy Development Organization (PEDO), Habibullah, and Deputy Commissioner Swat, Saleem Jan, to review progress.

Projects nearing completion

According to Business Recorder, the under-construction schemes include the 84 MW Matiltan project, the 88 MW Gabral Kalam project, and the 36.6 MW Daral Khor Hydropower Plant, which was damaged during recent floods. A 40-kilometre transmission line in the Swat corridor, designed to carry power from these plants, is also under rapid development and expected to be ready by next year.

Officials said that once operational, the projects will not only ease the region’s power shortages but also provide cheaper electricity to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s industrial sector, helping reduce production costs.

Addressing local issues

During the visit, Secretary Zubair Khan instructed authorities to resolve public complaints regarding water supply around the project areas. He also directed the prompt clearance of pending salaries for workers at the Gorkin Matiltan project, after staff raised concerns over delays.

The secretary further inspected the construction of the staff colony at the Gabral Kalam site and urged officials to speed up work to meet deadlines. He also toured the flood-affected Daral Khor plant in Bahrain and asked the local administration to remove hurdles hampering progress.

Push for timely completion

“The government is committed to completing these projects on time so that the province can benefit from clean and affordable energy,” Zubair Khan said during the visit.

Officials expect the projects to play a key role in meeting the province’s growing energy needs while creating opportunities for economic growth.