Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is intensifying its efforts to harness its substantial hydropower potential, estimated at around 8,000 megawatts (MW). This initiative aims to meet local energy demands and promote regional development.
The Managing Director of the AJK Power Development Organization (PDO), Khawaja Masood Qadir, highlighted the recent commissioning of the 3.22 MW Chham Fall Hydel Project in Jhelum Valley, which is expected to generate approximately 15.7 million units of electricity annually for surrounding communities
Work on the Chham Fall project began in August 2022 after delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The revised project cost is around Rs933.7 million, with funding expected to facilitate its completion and operation.
Another hydropower project, also rated at 3.22 MW, located downstream from Chham Fall, is nearing completion. The PDO anticipates commissioning this project by June 2025, contingent on securing Rs200 million in funding.
The existing 2 MW Kappa Bannamolah Powerhouse in Leepa Valley is being upgraded to 4 MW, with installation expected to finish by June 2025.
Future Prospects
The AJK government has plans for several other projects:
- The 48 MW Jagran-II Hydropower Project has been revived after a seven-year stall, with completion expected within six months.
- Saudi Arabia’s Fund for Development has pledged nearly Rs22 billion for two major projects in Neelum Valley: the 22 MW Jagran-IV and the 48 MW Shonthar Hydropower Project, both of which are set to significantly contribute to local energy needs and job creation.
These hydropower initiatives are not only aimed at fulfilling AJK’s energy requirements but also at boosting local economies by creating job opportunities and reducing reliance on imported fuels. The strategic development of these projects is seen as a pathway towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in AJK while contributing surplus energy to Pakistan’s national grid.
AJK’s commitment to expanding its hydropower capacity reflects a broader strategy to leverage its natural resources for sustainable economic growth and energy security.