The delegation of PAF Air War College was informed on Monday that WAPDA was executing the biggest-ever portfolio of development projects in water and hydropower sectors worth Rs.2500 billion for water, food and energy security of Pakistan
The delegation headed by Air Vice Marshal Hussain Ahmed Siddiqui during a visit to the WAPDA House was briefed about prospects and plans in the water and hydropower sectors, said a press release.
The delegation was apprised that Diamer Basha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam, Nai Gaj Dam, Dasu and Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project were to name a few.
The under-construction projects were scheduled to be completed from 2023 to 2029 in a phased manner. On completion of these projects, gross water storage capacity in the country would increase by 9.7 MAF, sufficient to irrigate 3.5 million acres of land. In addition, the hydel power generation capacity of WAPDA would also be doubled with an increase of 9043 MW.
Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) also participated in the briefing. Following the briefing, the chairman while responding to the questions, said that the water situation in Pakistan could only be improved by constructing more dams, conserving water, adopting modern irrigation techniques and minimizing water evaporation losses. Economic rejuvenation was possible through the development of an agro-based economy in Pakistan.
One more mega water reservoir after Diamer Basha Dam could bring a landmass, through which we could get economic benefit equivalent to US$ 10 billion per annum, he said.
Earlier, the delegation was briefed about the challenges for the water and energy security of Pakistan.
The delegation was informed that per capita water availability in the country has come down from 5650 cubic meters in 1951 to an alarming level of 908 cubic meter per annum, pushing us to the stage of a water-scarce country.
Pakistan could store only 10% of its annual river flows against the world average of 40%. We have merely 30 days carry over capacity of water in comparison to India with 170 days, Egypt with 700 days and USA with 900 days.
The carry over water storage capacity would have to be increased from 30 days to 120 days. Likewise, the low-cost hydel electricity, which stands at 9406 MW at present, also needs to be improved from the existing 28% to at least 50% in the National Grid.
The delegation was comprised of Pakistani and allied officers from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe. A briefing was arranged for the delegation about water and hydropower sectors in Pakistan.—APP
