Jabban Hydropower project was inaugurated on Wednesday by Ministry of Water and Power Secretary Anwar Ahmad Khan located on Swat Canal in Malakand Division. French Ambassador Philippe Thiébaud and French Development Agency (AFD) Vice President Grégory Clémente were also present at the occasion
Built in 1937, the plant has capacity to generate 22 MW electricity but production was discontinued due to a fire breakout in November 2006. The infrastructure was rehabilitated by Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) engineers increasing its capacity from 19 MW up to 22MW. At least 200 local labour had been employed for the purpose. Furthermore, 240,000 people will be provided with electricity after completion of the project.
On July 2009, AFD signed a soft loan of 26.5 million euros with the government of Pakistan, out of which 25 million (Rs 3.4 billion) have been allocated for the Jabban Project, and 1.5 million for building capacities on the hydropower sector. This loan is being implemented by WAPDA, AFD’s main partner in the country. The Jabban Project, constructed by a Pakistani company, should deliver its full capacity to the grid by September 2013, without over cost or delays.
AFD group has expressed interest for joint projects with Pakistan in the future in close cooperation with the public and private sector, co-financing with other donors such as European Union and German cooperation. AFD has already committed funding for the study of multipurpose Munda dam project, as well as for the construction of Jaggran-II and Harpo hydropower projects.
In addition, AFD has a portfolio of identified hydel projects under study, for a total capacity of more than 1,100 MW.
