The National Assembly was informed on Thursday that theconstruction work on Dasu, Diamer-Bhasha and Munda dams would start next year.
Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the House during question hour that presently the Swat River Munda Dam project was in study phase which comprised of detailed engineering design, preparation of tender documents and PC-I.
Answering a question, Abid Sher Ali said that construction work on Dasu Dam would start in the beginning of next year and its first phase would be completed in 2022. The 5400 MW project would generate 2200 MW in the first phase. He pointed out that loan agreement of $588.4 million along with partial credit guarantee of 460 million dollars has already been signed between the Government of Pakistan, WAPDA and the World Bank.
He said the total cost of these activities was estimated at Rs 1097.760 million. He said that the revised PC-I has been submitted to the Ministry of Planning and Development and after its approval funding from local and international sources would be arranged.
He pointed out that on completion, the Munda Dam would generate 800 MW of electricity. He said completion of hydel projects was priority of the government and the Munda Dam was very important project.
About Diamer-Bhasha Dam, he said that out of 37419 acres of land required for the construction of the project 28247 acres of land have been acquired. He said the government was providing funds for land acquisition through Public Sector Development Programme. He expressed the hope that the construction work on this project would also start next year. He pointed out that installed capacity of Diamer-Bhasha Dam would be 4500 MW and its water storage capacity was 6.4 million acre feet.
To another question, he said that the 132KV grid station Barikot was under construction and is expected to be completed by October next year.
Responding to a question, he told the House that the government was encouraging private sector and individuals to generate electricity through solar system and for this purpose Customs Duty on solar panels has brought to zero per cent. He said the additional electricity being generated through solar system can be sold to government. He said pilot project for this purpose has already started in IESCO and LESCO areas.
To another question, he said about 10,000 MW of electricity would be added by March, 2018 to the national grid and there would be zero load-shedding in the country. He said in some specific areas where recovery rate is very low, load-shedding duration was higher.