WAPDA to ensure early completion of 969 MW-Neelum Jhelum Project

Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has decided to deploy state-of-the-art tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for on-schedule completion of the strategically important 969 MW-Neelum Jhelum hydropower project. Deployment of TBMs on the project will reduce the construction period by about two years, resulting in an estimated benefit of Rs90 billion.
Chairman WAPDA, Shakil Durrani, expressed these views during his visit to Neelum Jhelum hydropower project. He was accompanied by Member (Water) WAPDA, Syed Raghib Abbas Shah and Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Neelum Jhelum hydropower company, Lt Gen (R) Muhammad Zubair.
Chairman inspected the diversion tunnel at Nauseri, where River Neelum was diverted in October 2011 to initiate construction of the weir. He also visited other components of the project including weir site, de-sander, main tunnels, etc.
Speaking on the occasion, the chairman said Neelum Jhelum is a priority project of WAPDA’s least-cost energy generation plan. Since completion of the project is vital for the country, WAPDA is taking all possible measures for the purpose including deployment of two TBMs on the project. The TBMs being imported from Germany by the contractor are expected to reach Pakistan by January 2012, he added. Lauding the efforts of the project authorities, the chairman said completion of the tunnel to divert river Neelum, is a landmark in implementation of the project.
The diversion tunnel was completed in October in record time of two years.
Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company CEO/MD, briefing the Chairman, said that overall progress on the project stands at 27 per cent. He further said about 17-kilometer long tunnels have so far been constructed. These include both access and main tunnels. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2016. On completion, the project will provide about 5.15 billion units of electricity annually to National Grid. Benefits of the project have been estimated as Rs45 billion per annum. The project will pay back its cost in about 7 years.