ISLAMABAD
The strategically important Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP) is fast heading towards its completion and is scheduled to start electricity generation with the commissioning of its first generating unit by February 2018.
According to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), NJHP Board of Management (BoM) has briefed WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain (R) during a meeting.
BoM Chairman Peter Mason and the members including Rusten, Chirst, Project Manager Geoff, attended the meeting. WAPDA Member (Power) Badr-ul-Munir Murtaza, Advisor (Projects) Nasir Hanif, NJHP CEO Brig (R) Muhammad Zareen, NJHP project director, and others were also present at the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, WAPDA chairman expressed satisfaction over the progress on the project, adding that despite the delay of years and cost overrun, the project will finally see the light of the day because of some extraordinary commitment and display of professional excellence by WAPDA and NJHP team members.
He directed the project management that the pace of work is continued with the same zeal to complete the project in accordance with the timelines.
Earlier, the meeting was briefed that filling of water in NJHP reservoir will start in October, waterway system (tunnels diverting water from dam to power house) is scheduled to be completed by end December 2017, pressurising the waterway system will start in January 2018, while wet testing/commissioning of the power generating units will commence in February 2018.
It is worth mentioning that Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project comprises of four generating units with a cumulative generation capacity of 969 MW. The first unit will start electricity generation by February 2018, the second unit in mid-March, whereas the third and the fourth units will be completed in April 2018.
On its completion, the project will contribute about five billion units of electricity to the national grid every year. Annual revenue of the project is estimated to be Rs 45 billion.
