The Neelum-Jhelum hydro-power plant, which has been out of commission since July 6, will take six months to restore power to the national grid.
A blockage in the tail race tunnel caused the 969 MW project to fail. According to top energy ministry officials, it appears to be a geological failure in the tunnel, but the true cause will be determined once the dewatering operation is completed.
Wapda insiders, however, told The News that the Chinese contractor CGGC-CMEC (Gezhouba Group), which built the project, had been hired. Furthermore, the water and power authority communicated with Stantec, a US-based consultant.
They also stated that Wapda was in discussions with the Chinese contractor over maintenance costs and operating procedures. “So far, the authorities have begun the process of draining the 3.5-kilometer tail race tunnel.” The dewatering procedure began on July 10, and it would take 20-25 days to complete.”
In response to a question, officials stated that because the project is insured by NICL — National Insurance Company Limited — a portion of the maintenance costs will be covered by insurance funds.
The Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project was completed at a cost of Rs506 billion and began operation in April 2018 in the deep mountains of AJK, whose geology is neither predictable nor readable. The project is for diverting Neelum waters through tunnels at Nauseri, some 41 kilometres upstream of Muzaffarabad, and outfalling in the Jhelum River near Chatter Kalas, AJK, where the powerhouse is located. The project creates 5.15 billion units per year and has so far contributed 18.2 billion units, generating Rs50 billion in annual revenue.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
