Gomal Zam hydropower station restored to full capacity after eight years

SOUTH WAZIRISTAN LOWER: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has restored the affected generating units of the Gomal Zam Hydropower Station after eight years and successfully synchronised it with the national grid, bringing the facility back to its full generation capacity of 17.4 megawatts (MW).

Officials said that both of the station’s generating units had ceased operations in October 2016 due to a major technical fault.

One unit was repaired and brought back into service in June 2018, restoring half of the station’s installed capacity. However, the second unit remained out of service because of the complexity of the technical damage.

As a result, the hydropower station continued operating at only half of its installed capacity, generating 8.7MW, for the past eight years.

According to a statement issued by Wapda on Thursday, the restoration marks a significant milestone for the country’s hydropower sector.

With both generating units now operational, the power station has resumed full-capacity electricity production, increasing the supply of low-cost and environmentally friendly hydropower to the national grid while strengthening the electricity system in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly the Dera Ismail Khan Division.

Wapda officials said the restored generating units were connected to the national grid after successfully completing all mandatory technical, operational and safety tests to ensure reliable and secure operation.

The authority added that the hydropower station is now contributing its full generation capacity to Pakistan’s energy network.

To restore the remaining units, Wapda launched a rehabilitation project in April 2026 at a cost of Rs359.5 million.

The project was completed within 80 days, ahead of schedule, and the repaired unit was successfully recommissioned on June 25, 2026.

The Gomal Zam Hydropower Station is connected to the national grid through the 132-kilovolt South Waziristan Lower-Tank transmission line and has the capacity to generate approximately 90.9 million units of low-cost, clean electricity annually.

According to Wapda, the restoration of the power station will enhance the stability of electricity supply in South Waziristan, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and other remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The authority added the project would also contribute to increasing the share of renewable energy in Pakistan’s electricity mix while reducing dependence on imported fuels.

The Gomal Zam Dam is one of Pakistan’s major multi-purpose water resource projects. Construction began in 2002 but faced prolonged delays due to security challenges, financial constraints and administrative issues.

The main structure of the dam was completed in 2013, while the hydropower component became fully operational in 2017 following the completion of installation, commissioning and testing works.

The dam has a gross water storage capacity of approximately 1.14 million acre-feet and provides irrigation water to nearly 191,000 acres of agricultural land, contributing significantly to agricultural productivity in the region.

Standing about 133 metres high, the project also plays an important role in flood mitigation, water conservation and regional socio-economic development.

The dam is located in the Kar Kanra area of Wana tehsil in Lower South Waziristan, on the eastern bank of the Gomal River.

The project has been constructed on land traditionally inhabited by the Zali Khel clan, the largest sub-tribe of the Ahmadzai Wazir tribe.

It is regarded as one of the region’s most significant water resources and renewable energy projects, playing a vital role in electricity generation, irrigation and regional development.

Energy experts described the restoration of the Gomal Zam Hydropower Station as an important achievement for Pakistan’s renewable energy sector.

They said the project’s return to full generation capacity would strengthen the national grid, increase the availability of affordable and clean electricity, and deliver long-term economic and environmental benefits to the country, particularly to communities in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. ...