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Climate change

Dasu Hydropower Project: A Game-Changer for Pakistan's Energy Future

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The under-construction Dasu Hydropower Project on the Indus River in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is expected to be a game-changer for the national power grid and the country's economic, environmental, and social future. The project, launched under Pakistan Vision 2025 and the Power Policy 2013, is being executed by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and will generate 4,320 megawatts of electricity. The project's completion is expected to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 5 million tons annually and save the country approximately USD 1.8 billion annually by reducing its dependency on costly imported fuels.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Dasu Hydropower Project is a "run-of-the-river" hydropower project, utilizing the natural flow of the Indus River without a large reservoir.
  • The project's primary objective is electricity generation, with a total capacity of 4,320 megawatts.
  • The reservoir will stretch approximately 74 kilometers in length and have a storage capacity of 1.41 billion cubic meters of water.
  • The project is expected to generate around 21 billion units of electricity annually.
  • The project has created over 3,700 jobs, with a majority filled by local residents, and is expected to rise to 8,000 during peak construction.
  • The project has significant environmental benefits, including reducing carbon emissions and trapping sediments to extend the lifespan of the Tarbela Dam.
  • The project's completion will save the country approximately USD 1.8 billion annually by reducing its dependency on costly imported fuels.
  • The project has faced security challenges, including a terrorist attack in 2024 that killed six workers, but enhanced security measures have been implemented to ensure the project's progress.

Statistics:

  • Total capital cost of the project: PKR 1,737 billion (approximately USD 6 billion)
  • Initial estimated cost of the project: PKR 486 billion
  • Estimated annual electricity generation: 21 billion units
  • Expected reduction in carbon emissions: 5 million tons annually
  • Projected increase in girls' enrollment in education: up to 70%
  • Projected annual savings from reduced dependency on imported fuels: USD 1.8 billion

Sources:

  • World Bank
  • Asian Development Bank
  • Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
  • Pakistan Vision 2025
  • Power Policy 2013
  • June 2024, World Bank approved an additional loan of USD 1 billion

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