Following completion of its reliability test and adjustments thereafter, the first unit of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project has started providing electricity to the National Grid. The unit will contribute 242.25 MW power to its full capacity to the system for one month (reliability period) after which its commercial operation will commence.
In yet another significant development, Unit No. 2 of the project has also undergone mechanical run tests starting May 16. This unit is expected to be synchronized with the National Grid during a week time for power generation on trial basis.
The Unit No.4 of the project, which was put into operation during April, injected more than 1.3 million units of electricity during test run. However, during the tests of this unit, the “run outs” exceeded the specifications. The Consultants of the project concluded that for operation for its designated life, its “labyrinth” and “lower sleeve” should be replaced with new ones, for which the contractor has placed the order on the manufacturer namely Harbin China. This unit is scheduled to go into operation in next three to four months.
It is worth mentioning that Neelum Jhelum has injected over 23 million units into the National Grid so far. It may be mentioned here that Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project is a component of hydro-development plan, being implemented by WAPDA on priority to tap indigenous hydropower potential aimed at improving the ratio of hydel electricity in the system.State-of-the-art Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project has been constructed on River Neelum in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A 60 meter high and 160 meter long composite dam has been constructed at Nauseri to divert water to an underground power house for power generation near Chattar Kalas though a water way system that consists of 52-kilometer long tunnels. A 525 Kilo Volt switch yard and transmission line have also been completed for evacuation of power. The National Grid will receive about 5 billion units of electricity from Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project on the average every year. Annual benefits of the project stand at Rs. 55 billion.
