PESHAWAR
Advisor to the Chief Minister on Energy, Power and Mineral Development Dr Syed Sirfaraz Ali Shah on Thursday said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was according high priority to resolving the energy issue as it was the key to overall economic progress in the province.
He said that KP has been bestowed with natural resources including rich in water which could be easily used for the production of hydropower.
Dr Syed Sirfaraz Ali Shah maintained that the provincial department of energy through its subsidiary PEDO was working on several important hydropower projects in Swat.
“Providing affordable energy to the industrial sector is a top priority to generate economic activity and employment,” he said and added that the under-construction Gabral Kalam Hydropower Project and the Gherkin Mittalan Hydropower Project in Swat district are nearing completion.
With the construction of small hydropower plants, the backward areas are not only benefiting from the facility of electricity, but with this effort, a new era of development will also begin there.
He said this while visiting Gherkin Matalan Hydro Power Projects in Swat, said a statement.
On this occasion, while giving a comprehensive briefing about the ongoing work on the projects and other issues, the CM aide on energy was told that a total of 172 MW of electricity will be generated by the completion of these projects.
Dr Sarfaraz also reviewed the various parts of the two hydropower projects and issued necessary instructions to the concerned authorities on the spot, saying, KP will be helped by the vast potential of alternative energy.
He said that the completion of Gabral Kalam and Gherkin Matalan Hydro Power Projects will provide 24-hour affordable electricity to the people even in the remote backward and un-electrified areas of Swat district.
