Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt General (Retd) Muzammil Hussein said that successful completion of a few hydro projects in a country during last two years has added 2,487 MW of cheap and clean power in Pakistan.
Lt General (Retd) Muzammil Hussein expressed these views while talking to media persons after holding meeting with the Attorney General for Pakistan Khalid Jawed in his office in the Supreme Court premises.
He further said that completion of hydro projects in a country results in reducing our reliance on expensive independent power producers (IPPs).
He added that 21 power plants are currently functioning round the clock for providing uninterrupted power supply to the people of a country during Coronavirus pandemic. However the employees are working in shifts in view of Coronavirus outbreak.
WAPDA Chairman informed that Diamer Basha Dam with capacity of 4,500 MW power generations and gross water capacity of 8.1 MAF will be a game changer for the future of Pakistan. This will practically put an end to exploitation by IPPs in Pakistan. The construction of Mohmand Dam and Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-I) will complete in 2024-25.
He further informed that issues such as seismic effect, technical design, environmental impacts and resettlement issues are being quoted to pressurize Pakistan to abandon or delay in the completion of the projects.
He told that anti-dam lobbies and the IPPs led foreign vested groups in Pakistan were now all gearing up for a crack at Diamer-Bhasha Dam, which would commence in a few weeks. The nation should be aware of such propaganda and the forces which have kept Pakistan hostage for decades.