Mangla Power Station’s capacity increased from 1,000 MW to 1,310 MW
The Standing Committee for Planning, Development and Reforms met on Thursday at the conference room of Mangla Power Station Mirpur AJK under the chairmanship of MNA Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail, to discuss the hydropower training institute and refurbishment and up-gradation of generating units of Mangla Power Station etc.
“Mangla Power Station is the lifeline for the country’s economy,” the committee pointed out and appreciated WAPDA’s efforts for executing the refurbishment and up-gradation of generating units of Mangla Power Station from 1,000 MW to 1,310 MW.
The committee was informed that in view of the current energy crisis, a fast track strategy had been devised to accomplish refurbishment works of two units simultaneously instead of one unit at a time as per original plan by closing whole tunnel. The committee was told that six generating units would be refurbished under Phase-I Fast Track Strategy. Annual average incremental energy with the completion of Mangla Refurbishment Project would be 1,632 GWh besides enhancement of Plant Life by 30 years.
The WAPDA chairman told the committee that Pakistan’s total identified hydropower potential is more than 60,000 MW. Future economic growth largely depends on the development of this indigenous resource.
“Presently, projects of more than 6,000 MW are under construction while of 20,000 MW are either ready for Implementation or in planning stage”. He emphasized that capacity building for operation and maintenance of upcoming hydropower projects is a big challenge.
WAPDA has also planned to establish a hydropower training institute at Mangla with state-of-the-art facilities for training of the engineers and staff in the hydropower field. The WAPDA chairman said that an engineering faculty would be set up for establishment of hydel power training institute.
Later on, the committee visited the resettlement works of New Mirpur City and Islamgarh town. The committee praised the development works and directed the Planning Division to release the remaining requisite funds of Rs 4.622 billion so that the grievances of affectees could be addressed.
The Committee also visited the hydropower training Institute site and stressed to expedite the construction of the project.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Dr Ibadullah, Shaheen Shafiq, Shazia Ashfaq Mattu, Sher Akber Khan and Iftikharud-din.