Developing Pakistan's Hydroelectric Resources With The Jabban Power Plant

Pakistan is currently facing a sustainable energy crisis and, consequently, extensive load shedding. During the summer of 2008, the power deficit reached nearly 5,000 MW, while the total installed capacity was nearly 20,000 MW, including 6,500 MW of hydroelectricity. To respond to the growing demand, the Government of Pakistan has developed its Vision 2025 Programme. Its objective is to develop the country's hydroelectric resources whose potential is estimated at more than 54,000 MW. The programme, which the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is in charge or implementing, envisages additional hydroelectric production of 9,500 MW in 2016, including five major projects accounting for an investment of some 20.3 billion USD. Many other smaller projects have also been envisaged, including the rehabilitation of the Jabban hydroelectric power plant, which will enable the Pakistani authorities to gain 22 MW of additional power "quickly", without increasing carbon intensity.

Jabban is a run-of-the-river power station located on the Swat Canal, using a vertical drop of 76 meters for a nominal flow of 34 m³/s. It has been out of order since November 2006, following a fire. WAPDA used the fire as an opportunity to completely review the power plant's equipment, with the modification and construction of the necessary civil engineering infrastructure. The project included:

• Dismantling existing equipment and the demolition of some civil engineering infrastructure
• The rehabilitation of infrastructure as required (water intake), the dismantling of three of the five penstocks and their replacement with two new ones
• The supply, installation and commissioning of electromechanical equipment and a 132 kV substation, including the inherent civil works
• The completion of a 132 kV line over 3 kilometres to connect to the national grid.
• Future production was estimated at 126 GWh/year.

• Increase in the country's hydropower generation and restoration of energy supply in the Jabban area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province south of FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)
• Avoidance of emissions estimated at 51,200 tonnes of CO₂ per year
• Direct employment of 500 local employees while the plant's operation and maintenance over 30 years should provide a livelihood to about 80 people directly and 500 indirectly.