Officials in Pakistan’s northern state Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are hoping operation of the 108-MW Golen Gol project will help alleviate the region’s load shedding.
Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority reported the plant’s first-of-three 36 MW turbines was went on line yesterday, with the remaining units scheduled for commissioning in March and May.
Speaking during a site visit, WAPDA chair Muzammil Hussain said he expects the project will help spark economic development with revenues generated through power sales and the availability of additional electricity for industry.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is expected to officially inaugurate the plant early next month.
Located on a Matsuj River tributary near Chitral, Golen Gol received funding from the Saudi Fund for Development in November 2014 and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in March 2007.
Pakistani officials announced in 2012 that they endorsed WAPDA’s naming of Rainpower ASA to be consultants to the project.
