96 MW-Jinnah Hydropower Project is at advanced stage of its completion. First unit will start its operation by end of December this year. Full completion of the project is expected by middle of 2012. On completion, project will generate about 688 million units of electricity annually yielding an estimated benefit of Rs6 billion every year. This was stated in a briefing made to WAPDA Chairman Shakil Durrani during his visit to Jinnah Hydropower Project – a run-of-the-river scheme being constructed on River Indus adjacent to Jinnah Barrage in Mianwali district. Chairman witnessed construction work on various components of project including power house, switchyard and headrace and tailrace channels during the visit.
He directed project officials, consultants and the contractor to further gear up their efforts for completion of the project, which was adversely affected by devastating floods last year. Dilating upon least-cost energy generation plan, chairman said WAPDA is implementing several projects to harness vital resource of hydropower in the country. He said seven projects with cumulative capacity of about 1500 MW are under construction, out of those five projects of 400 MW will be completed in 2012. In addition, 4500 MW-Diamer Basha Dam and 84 MW-Kurram Tangi Dam have also been initiated.
