One of the largest hydroelectric power plants in Pakistan built by a Chinese company in the Neelam River has stopped because of geological failures deep in the tunnel that divert water from the river to the power plant.
With the closing of the 969MW power plant, Pakistan today stared at the total power shortage of 7,324 MW. This deficiency is likely to make the power situation worse for people who are shaken under the cutting of power ranging from 12 to 16 hours in big cities like Karachi and Lahore.
The government has declared a ‘electric emergency’ with the possibility of saving power by turning off the internet and cellular connections. Markets and offices are closed earlier and the public transportation system faces the worst locked ever.
The acute power crisis has increased the government’s rule of the ruling Shehbaz Sharif is burdened with political setbacks, economic destruction and the military. Improvement in the Neeland-July-Jhelum Hydroelectric Power Plant tends to take more than six months, making the country run fast for additional power from other rare sources.
In April this year, for example, Prime Minister Sharif was informed that 27 power plants with a combined generator capacity of more than 7000 megawatts were damaged due to technical errors or lack of fuel.
The closure of the Neelum-Jhelum factory, was built at a cost of ₹ 508 billion in 2018 after a significant time and cost, has made the situation worse. Although the exact cause of the problem is unknown, it is believed that the 3.5 km tunnel has been blocked.
The tunnel is used to pump water from the river to the power plant to produce electricity. The water is then pumped into the tunnel to flow back into the river. The problem is in a tunnel that diverts water from power plants to the river.
Tunnel 58 kilometers and its length is one of the main features of the plan, built by the CGGC-CMEC (Gezhour Group) Chinese contractor.
Pakistani water authority, Wapda, has involved the same Chinese company to identify and improve blockages. Authority also asked for advice from US companies, Stantec. Two years ago, the Chinese company pocketed another factory project in the Swat River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with a value of USD 1.9 billion.
The post Pak Stares At Power Shortage After China-Built Plant Shuts Down first appeared on News On Sight.
