STAR SECTOR 4: POWER
The water reservoirs and the sunny conditions of FATA have the power to turn dry lands into green fields. Moreover, sufficient electricity can be generated to light up millions of homes, businesses and lives. We are looking for extraordinary individuals who can turn today's potential into tomorrow's power!
“
Existing water and geological mapping of the region has identified substantial opportunities for undertaking small hydropower generation ventures. Micro level renewable energy projects initiated by the private sector are becoming the new fad in the power generation portfolio of FATA. Due to the soaring demand and identified potential, we are experiencing a lot of interest from private companies in the power generation sector.
In FATA, there is so much potential flowing in the rivers and streams throughout the region. Developing small and micro hydropower projects will not only generate electricity for local industries and households to flourish in FATA, the trickling implications will also support other economic sectors including agriculture development and industrial growth. For the financial year 2014-2015, exploring power generation potential has been one of the top priorities for the Directorate of Irrigation FATA and FATA Development Authority.
The geographic setting of FATA comprising of mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes provides natural advantage for storage of water and construction of hydropower generation projects. If the potential is optimally exploited, such projects in FATA can meet the growing energy needs of the whole country. FATA Development Authority has undertaken research and feasibility projects to assess hydropower, alternate and renewable energy potential in FATA. Under the annual development plan of the FATA Development Authority for the financial year 2014-2015, a considerable figure of US $43 million has been allocated for the power sector. Constructing hydropower structures, building small dams, expanding irrigation channels and assembling solar units are the four key areas which are contributing towards power generation in the tribal areas. Electricity is provided free of cost to households and at a subsidized flat rate to industries. The hydropower profile of FATA is composed of small projects being run and managed at the community level. A number of prefeasibility studies have been completed and others are in the pipeline to identify potential sites for hydropower generation on a much larger scale. Additionally, feasibility studies are planned for 121 sites in different areas of FATA which are already identified for small dams.
�
Director Irrigation FATA ONGOING POWER GENERATION PROJECTS IN FATA In South Waziristan Agency, the multi-purpose Gomal Zam Dam has been built for land irrigation, flood control and power generation. In addition to irrigating 163,000 acres of barren land, the dam also produces 18 megawatts of electricity. With the completion of 20 small dams through every corner of FATA, water management will become more efficient to contribute towards the development of power and irrigation sectors. This is in line with the sector development strategy of Irrigation Department FATA. Munda Dam in Mohmand Agency (estimated capacity 660 megawatts) and Kurram Tangi Dam in North Waziristan Agency (estimated capacity 83 megawatts) are the two mega hydropower generation projects which are under implementation in the private sector. Under the Solar Electrification Program launched by the FATA Development Authority, so far 46 villages in different tribal agencies and frontier regions have been successfully piloted. The program is being expanded as an alternate and immediate energy source for power generation and water management.
MEGA POWER PROJECTS UNDER DEVELOPMENT IN FATA Project
Details
Munda Dam Project
Located at 37 kilometers north of Peshawar, Munda Dam is a concrete-face/rock-fill dam with multiple socioeconomic benefits. Once completed, the dam will generate 740 megawatts of hydroelectricity, irrigate 15,100 acres of land and control monsoon floods. It is expected to provide numerous estimated annual benefits including PKR 4.98 billion in annual water storage, PKR 19.6 billion in power generation by producing 2.4 billion units of electricity annually and PKR 79 million in annual flood mitigation. A consortium of consulting partners, including SMEC Australia, NK Japan and NESPAK-AC E-BAK Pakistan has been engaged in the modelling and designing of the project which is nearing completion.
Kurram Tangi Hydropower Project
The dam site is located in North Waziristan Agency and is being constructed under US $81 million financial grant by the US Agency for International Development. Upon completion of the first phase, development of irrigated agriculture across 16,380 acres of land and hydropower generation of 19 megawatts will be accomplished. It will also provide water for household use to more than 5,000 families settled in the area. Benefits of the first phase of Kurram Tangi Dam have been estimated at PKR 1.5 billion per annum. The cumulative project outcomes include irrigation of 363,000 acres of land and generation of 83.4 megawatts
of hydel electricity.
Walmai Hydel Project
Walmai Hydropower Project site is located at 50 kilometers west of Miranshah, the capital of North Waziristan Agency. Mineral extraction activities are taking place in the surrounding areas due to presence of chromite, copper and gold. The estimated hydropower generation capacity is calculated at about 10 megawatts. Private sector investments can be engaged in the construction of dam structure, underground powerhouse, grid system, transmission line and personnel residency. In addition to power generation and revenue collection, the multipurpose hydropower project will also contribute towards agricultural, mineral, industrial and tourism development in the area.
Gat Tangi Project
The identified site for this multipurpose hydropower project is at a land distance of 14 kilometers north-east of Drazinda in Frontier Region Dera Ismail Khan. This particular area is mineral rich especially due to its substantial coal deposits. The rocks are of metamorphic origin of crystalline limestone appropriate for the construction of an earth dam. With a conceivable reservoir catchment area of 700 square kilometers, the hydropower generation potential is estimated at 12 megawatts. With a total cost estimate of US $19.50 million, this project is considered to be the lifeline of the regional economic development in the coming years.
FATA Solar Electrification Program
Since its inception in March 2011, the program has undergone four phases to setup tube wells, street lights and home solutions all powered by solar energy. Until December 2014, a total of 46 villages in the tribal agencies and frontier region were extended with solar power facilities and services at a total cost of PKR 750 million. Due to the reassuring outcomes of the program, a hefty allocation of PKR 380 million has been reaffirmed within the annual development plan of the FATA Development Authority for the financial year 2014-2015. FATA Secretariat, under the leadership of the Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has also started groundwork to identify new ways and means of establishing a 100 megawatts solar park in Frontier Region Dera Ismail Khan which has illuminated massive potential for alternate energy development. Source: Directorate of Irrigation FATA and FATA Development Authority
The policy vision is to enhance the productivity of the agriculture and allied sectors as a major contributor towards economic growth and investment creation. The policy has backed a change of focus from simply increasing production to a more business oriented approach. The Directorate of Irrigation FATA is developing a sector plan to attract public and private sector investments in projects which can harvest more economic returns and better market prospects.
FROM FADING HOPES TO ILLUMINATING LIVES Before Jamil Afridi started offering solar appliances to households in Jamrud area of Khyber Agency, no such thing ever existed for them. Within a span of weeks, word spread around and his clientele began to expand dramatically as more and more people flocked to try and buy the appliances being offered. Today, Ali has an established business dealing in solar home and commercial appliances. Starting from one village just a year back, all the other five nearby villages have become his active clients today. In these villages, houses that would become dark after sunset are now brighter than ever. The agricultural fields are greener because of ample supply of irrigation water. Commercial activities are progressing because of increased business hours and commute after sunset. As for Jamil, he is open for business seven days a week and not perturbed by any power outages.