Construction, Operation and Maintenance of 356 Mini and Micro Hydel Projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Duration of project:                        18 Months

Funded By:                      Provincial Government of KPK through PEDO

Implemnted By:

Joint venture of Haashar Association/Green Alternatives/Hydrolink/ZomoAshro

Introduction:

Pakistan is facing a critical energy short fall. There is a dire need and demand of energy resources and its optimal utilization. Micro/Mini Hydro Power plays a vital role in the electrification of rural communities living in remotely located mountainous areas of Pakistan. For a fragile and energy deficient National Grid, those rural fell in the outreach category when it comes to electrification. The only hope for distant rural communities, to see light and make their way to progress and development, is through micro/mini hydro power.

Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has launched a project “Construction of 356 Mini / Micro Hydro Power Projects (MHPs) in northern Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)”, with the aim to provide electricity to grid inaccessible areas. KP Government keeping in view, the experience of NGOs selected 6 NGOs through open bids. The implementation of the project through NGO’s has been adopted to run the MHPs through local community after completion. A Joint Venture (JV) comprising Haashar Association, Green Alternative Power, Hydrolink Engineering and Zomo Ashro was formed to implement the project in its true spirit. Haashar Association excels in social mobilization while its JV partners have sufficient experience in the installation, repair and maintenance of MHPs. After approval of the bid the contract agreement was signed on 1^st September, 2014 between Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) and the JV firm/NGOs.

Projects Objective:

• To support the communities of KPK to reduce the negative impact of economic deprivation, poverty and social inequality in areas affected by energy crisis.
• To revitalize rural economy and promote alternate energy to enhance social cohesion and opportunities for sustainable development & livelihoods in 12-Large Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Project Benefits:

The MHP project is expected to contribute the following general benefits to the area.

1. Availability of low cost electricity
2. Taping of water resources
3. Boost in income generating activities
4. Protection of forest cover.
5. Easy access to electronic media/recreation
6. Reduce dependence on imported fuel.
7. Social uplift of area by raising the living standard of the inhabitants.
8. Transfer of technology in the field of hydropower development.

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Project Targets:

The JV has won two Districts out of 13 in KPK province. Total targets in District Batgram and District Abbottabad are as follows;