Pakistan To Double Hydroelectric Output To Meet Power Shortage: Report

Pakistan Power Crisis: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has devised a plan to increase the existing 9,406 megawatts (MW) to 20,591 MW by the year 2028-29.

Pakistan will double its hydroelectric output in the next seven years to meet its perennial power shortage and address the soaring electricity prices, a media report said on Saturday, amid a worsening energy crisis resulting in over 10 hours of load-shedding in the country.

The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has devised a plan to increase the existing 9,406 megawatts (MW) to 20,591 MW by the year 2028-29.

The hydropower will be added in two phases. In the first phase, the share of the hydroelectric energy will be raised from 9,406 MW to 12,366 MW by 2025 and in the next phase, it will be jacked up to 20,591 MW, Pakistan's national news agency Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported.

At present, the hydroelectric energy share in the overall energy mix stands at 31 per cent with an annual electric power generation of 37 billion units in Pakistan.