"HYDROPOWER" · 총 9건
필터 보기현재 지수
50.3
0 = 부정 우세
50 = 중립
100 = 긍정 우세
최근 7일 기준 86,057건을 분석한 결과, 뉴스 심리지수는 50.2(균형)입니다. 긍정 4,435건(5.2%)·중립 79,460건(92.3%)·부정 2,162건(2.5%)이며, 중립 비중이 뚜렷하게 높습니다. 성향 지수는 종합 15.3(중도 균형)입니다.
The agreement Lesotho signed with US-based Convalt Energy to develop a 1,200MW hydropower project and an AI data centre is valued at almost three times Lesotho's GDP.
The agreement Lesotho signed with US-based Convalt Energy to develop a 1,200MW hydropower project and an AI data centre is valued at almost three times Lesotho's GDP.
• Water, hydropower projects may get only Rs179bn in PSDP • Officials say at least Rs500bn is needed; warn low allocation may slow major dam, power projects • Ex-Wapda official fears Diamer-Bhasha, Dasu may miss timelines • Wapda says eight mega projects are under construction, expected to double hydel generation by 2030 THE country’s persistent failure to invest adequately in water storage and hydropower infrastructure has once again come into focus, as the government is expected to earmark only Rs179 billion under the proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 for a sector considered critical to the nation’s water, food and energy security. The proposed allocation has raised concerns over the pace of work on major ongoing hydropower projects, reservoirs and flood mitigation schemes at a time when the country is struggling with recurring floods, shrinking per capita water availability and high electricity costs. Officials and experts say accelerated investment in water infrastructure is essential for managing the impact of climate change and producing clean, reliable and low-cost electricity needed for sustainable economic growth. They argue that the country needs at least Rs500bn to speed up four major ongoing hydropower projects and start civil work on new water storage projects, especially in view of concerns over upstream water developments by India. “At a time when our country faces mounting water scarcity and growing need for affordable and clean energy, the water and power sectors appear to have received less attention in public investment priorities, with development allocations falling short of the resources required for the timely completion of critical ongoing projects and the launch of new water infrastructure schemes,” a senior official of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) said. The official, who requested anonymity, said the proposed allocation of Rs179bn would be insufficient for multibillion-dollar dams and hydropower projects already losing their required fast-track pace due to meagre funding of around Rs106bn under the PSDP 2025-26. “What will we do with this limited allocation for such major ongoing projects?” the official asked, adding that the government should place the water and power sector at the top of its budget priorities by allocating at least Rs500bn. “With just Rs179bn, we may not be able to start work on new dams, including the Chiniot Dam on the Chenab, which is currently at an advanced stage ahead of its launch,” the official said. Pakistan urgently needs additional reservoirs, hydropower projects and flood mitigation infrastructure to enhance water security, reduce the impact of floods and droughts, adapt to climate change and provide affordable electricity to consumers. The challenge has assumed greater significance amid growing concerns over upstream developments on the western rivers, particularly the Chenab, where Indian plans for additional water infrastructure have heightened calls for accelerating domestic investments in water storage and river management capacity. Analysts warn that delays in expanding the country’s water infrastructure could deepen existing water and energy challenges and limit Pakistan’s ability to respond effectively to emerging regional and climate-related pressures. Projects at risk At present, Wapda is executing several major water and hydropower projects, including Mohmand Dam, Tarbela 5th Extension, Diamer-Bhasha Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project and the K-IV Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The Mohmand Dam Project is being constructed on the Swat River. It is designed to store 1.29 million acre feet (MAF) of water, generate 800MW of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity and provide 300 million gallons per day of water to Peshawar for municipal use. The Tarbela 5th Extension project is also under construction, with work progressing on the intake structure, connecting tunnel, penstock, low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard. The project has an installed generation capacity of 1,530MW. The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing $390m and $300m, respectively, for its construction. After completion, Tarbela’s installed power generation capacity will increase from 4,888MW to 6,418MW. The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is considered one of the most vital projects for Pakistan’s water, food and energy security. It is being constructed across the Indus River to store 8.1 MAF of water and generate 4,500MW of clean and affordable electricity. On completion, the project is expected to irrigate an additional 1.2m acres of land and contribute 18bn units of low-cost electricity to the national grid every year. The 4,320MW Dasu Hydropower Project is also under way and planned to be completed in two stages. Wapda is currently constructing Stage-I, with an installed capacity of 2,160MW and annual generation of 12bn units of low-cost and environment-friendly electricity. The World Bank is providing financial assistance worth $1.57bn for Stage-I, which is expected to start electricity generation in December 2027. Work on the K-IV Project, or Greater Karachi Bulk Water Supply Scheme Phase-I, is also in progress. These projects are scheduled to be completed in phases from 2026 to 2030, targeting a combined increase of 9.7 MAF in water storage and over 9,000MW in clean hydropower. However, funding availability and local coordination remain the primary factors determining whether these timelines can be met. Chenab storage concerns The need for new water storage projects is particularly urgent on the Chenab River, which is vital for Pakistan’s agriculture under the Indus Waters Treaty. “As far as new dam projects are concerned, the Chenab is very important because we have no dam to store its water,” another Wapda official said. The planned water reservoir projects on the Chenab include Chiniot, Shah Jeewna, Mid Ranjha and Wazirabad dams. However, officials say work on Chiniot Dam should begin immediately. The proposed Chiniot Dam site is located on the Chenab River about five kilometres from Chiniot city and around 100 metres upstream of the existing railway bridge. The project has a gross storage capacity of 0.9 MAF, including 0.85 MAF of live storage, and is also expected to generate 80MW of electricity. Inadequate allocations are expected to delay these projects and lead to further cost escalation. The Wapda official said Pakistan had last year asked India to refrain from any unilateral manipulation of river flows and fulfil its obligations under the Indus Waters Treaty after fluctuations were observed in Chenab flows from Dec 9 to 18. According to the official, the river’s upstream control is handled by Indian authorities through various run-of-the-river hydropower projects. He said that sudden flushing of water from upstream structures without informing Pakistani authorities could sharply increase flows downstream in Pakistan, while holding water for days could massively reduce flows. Neelum-Jhelum delay Officials and experts also point to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project as an example of how delays in repair work, funding and accountability can deprive the country of vital hydropower generation. Although the project’s first unit was commissioned in 2018, the contractors reportedly failed to complete pending works, fulfil contractual obligations and supply spare parts needed for smooth operation. The Auditor General of Pakistan, in its performance audit report for 2022-23 submitted to parliament last year, raised questions about the quality and design of the project after a major collapse in the tailrace tunnel of the powerhouse a few years after construction. The 969MW project has remained shut since the collapse in the tailrace tunnel, while repair work has yet to be launched despite the passage of several years. “This project has been closed for the last three years due to delay in repair work at the affected portion. Until when will we continue holding inquiries and fixing responsibilities in the wake of this 969MW project?” asked Jawaid Latif, a former member (water) of Wapda. Talking to Dawn, Mr Latif said he was not against accountability, but the government should have provided funds to Wapda to launch repair work, including concrete lining of the tunnel, alongside conducting inquiries and fixing responsibility. “Had this been done earlier, hydel power generation from this vital project would have resumed well on time,” he said, adding that he had heard the repair project was currently passing through the award process. Mr Latif also criticised meagre PSDP allocations for the water and power sector, saying the government lacked an effective policy framework under which strategic projects were given priority with adequate funding and work on a war-footing basis. “I am not seeing Bhasha or Dasu Dam and other projects being completed on time, as the government seems to be giving less attention to the water and power sector despite knowing about water aggression and violations of the Indus Waters Treaty by India,” he said. He said water and power sector projects should be given top priority among projects of national interest, while the country should also keep a close watch on upstream activities by India. When contacted, a Wapda spokesperson said the authority had been playing a pivotal role in national development since its inception in 1958. In a statement, he said Wapda was committed to Pakistan’s water, food and energy security and was implementing its largest development portfolio, comprising eight mega projects in the water and hydropower sectors. These projects, he said, were destined to “revolutionise the economic landscape of Pakistan” by providing much-needed water and affordable hydel electricity for a green and bright Pakistan. Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2026
ISLAMABAD: Power Minister Awais Leghari said on Sunday that there had been “no sufficient outcome” of talks to secure discounts from Chinese power producers thus far, unlike over Rs3.5 trillion in savings secured through revised agreements with other independent power producers (IPPs) and public sector plants. In March, the government had informed a parliamentary panel that about Rs3.5tr in savings had been secured through revisions to power purchase agreements with 29 private and some state-owned power plants, spanning their three to 20-year terms. The move was aimed at reducing electricity rates. When Leghari was asked about negotiations with IPPs set up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for tariff rationalisation during a press conference on Sunday, he said, “Sufficient outcome has not come out yet.” The minister explained that CPEC-related IPPs were set up under a framework. Under that framework, “we have been trying for concessions in the form of debt-reprofiling, but sufficient results have not materialised yet”. He said a revision of the agreement could only take place while staying within a government-to-government arrangement, as both governments had provided enough guarantees. “We also have to respect investments that flowed in when no investor was ready to look towards Pakistan”, he said, hoping that “an agreement would be reached towards an improvement”. Leghari recalled that renegotiations with IPPs, the restructuring of agreements and the closure of old plants had helped secure Rs3.5tr in savings, and that the last agreements with IPPs would expire in 2053. He also said that a reduction in system losses, transfer of old Genco staff to distribution companies and the use of fiscal space for reduction in circular debt had helped cut the power sector’s budgeted subsidy to Rs890bn this year from Rs1.287tr last year, and it would be further reduced to Rs830bn in the coming fiscal year. In response to a question, the power minister said the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project had been out of system for about a year and a half because the project had design flaws. He said the Water and Power Development Authority would take another year and a half or so to repair the over Rs500bn project. “Its closure is causing remarkable losses, amounting to billions of rupees, and due to the non-availability of cheap electricity from this project, expensive electricity has to be arranged for,” he said. He further stated that a burden of Rs250bn on industrial consumers was removed by ending cross-subsidy. As a result, electricity tariffs fell across consumer categories over the past two years, he claimed. Presenting a chart, the minister maintained that the average domestic power tariff had dropped by 16 per cent between May 2024 and 2026 while commercial rates fell by 8pc. The industrial sector got the biggest relief whose average tariff dropped by 33pc while tariffs for general services, bulk consumers and the agriculture sector came down by 10pc, 13pc and 14pc, respectively, he said. The national average tariff reduced by 20pc to Rs42.26 per unit in May 2026, while this tariff was Rs53.04 per unit exactly two years back, he said. Responding to a question, the minister said his attempts to remove the electricity duty on power bills did not bear fruit owing to resistance from provinces. However, he added, lowered tariffs had automatically reduced the impact of tax burden on consumers. The minister also claimed that a “fake campaign was going on for weeks”, with allegations being made that the government was removing subsidies for low-end consumers. “It is completely false,” he said, adding that the government had introduced a mechanism for the registration of consumers eligible for subsidy, given the increased use of alternative energy sources, such as solar power, that reduced consumers’ dependence on electricity from the national grid. “The government wants to ensure subsidies go only to the eligible consumers, not the ineligible ones. A QR code registration system has been launched,” he said, adding that the initiative had shown positive results with around two million single-phase consumers registered in about a month. Leghari said the eligibility criteria for subsidy would be determined through public consultations and “verified eligible consumers will continue receiving their subsidy without interruption”. But, he also said that the subsidy could not be provided to those keeping their consumption below 200 units by the simultaneous use of solar power through multiple meters. The minister also said solar power self-generation capacity was estimated to expand to 50,000 megawatts in ten years from less than 20,000MW at present despite a shift from the net-metering mechanism to net-billing.
Gezhouba Hydropower Plant opens the Gezhouba Sanjiang sediment flushing gates in five stages to conduct a silt flushing test, in Yichang, Hubei Province, May 28, 2026.
Nurhisham Hussein says solar cannot provide baseload electricity, and the peninsula lacks the hydropower capacity available to Sabah and Sarawak.
PYKANY VILLAGE, Brazil, May 28 - Chief Megaron Txucarramae, a 75-year-old leader of Brazil’s Indigenous Kayapo people, has spent decades defending Indigenous rights, from securing the demarcation of his people’s land in the Amazon to opposing hydropower projects and illegal mining.
• Chinese workers, engineers to get enhanced security • Force to guard dams, plants, project sites • Bill sent to parliament for approval • Move follows attacks on Dasu hydel workers ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to create a new “Wapda Security Force” to provide dedicated security to major water sector infrastructure projects across the country and associated workers, particularly those from China. The force is being created through the Wapda Security Force Act, 2026, which has already been forwarded to parliament. “The Wapda Security Force is being constituted to ensure the protection and security of critical infrastructure managed by the Water and Power Development Authority,” reads the statement of objects and reasons. The decision to create a standalone force follows two terrorist attacks on engineers and workers of the over $6 billion Dasu Hydropower Project in November 2021 and March 2024, in which several Chinese and Pakistani workers were killed. Initially, CPEC-related security was extended to the Dasu project. An official explained that two special security divisions of the Pakistan Army (North and South) provided security to CPEC projects in Balochistan and along the route up to Gilgit-Baltistan, but Wapda projects did not fall under the CPEC security arrangement. He said a special arrangement was therefore needed, adding that Wapda’s entire security system was being revamped. The official recalled that an attack on Dasu project staff and the resultant loss of lives led to the suspension of the project by the Chinese side for well over a year. Work later resumed after top-level government engagement and payment of compensation, despite cost escalations and delays. A CPEC-like security arrangement was later extended to other projects involving Chinese workers through a major outer security cover provided by the Pakistan Army, in addition to Wapda’s internal security, local police and Rangers or Frontier Constabulary in other provinces. Following consultations with the Chinese side, the prime minister directed that CPEC-level security cover should be available to all projects, particularly those involving Chinese nationals and generally to other water sector projects of national importance. The Wapda Security Force, to be led by a director general, most likely from the armed forces, will be responsible for the security of critical infrastructure, including dams and power plants essential for the country’s economic stability and security. The new force, with its own uniform, insignia and stamp, will operate in notified areas across the country with specific responsibility for the security of water projects. For example, it will provide security to the K-4 Greater Water Supply Scheme in Sindh in addition to Rangers and local police, and work alongside FC forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The force will ensure the safety and security of installations, dams, powerhouses, machinery, equipment, offices, personnel and residences of personnel and prevent offences related to them. The superintendence of the Wapda Security Force will vest in the federal government, while its control will remain with Wapda. The force will ensure adequate security arrangements in notified areas and provide protection to Wapda personnel and persons working on Wapda projects, including while travelling to and from notified areas, through coordination with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. It will also coordinate with and assist other law enforcement and intelligence agencies, if ordered by the government, in protecting notified areas from encroachment and trespassing after notification in the official gazette. The strength of the force will depend on security requirements from time to time. The staff and officers of the force will be governed under the Essential Services Act and will not be allowed to engage in any other employment while serving in the force. The draft law also states that the Industrial Relations Act, 2012, and the Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968, will not apply to any officer or staff member of the Wapda Security Force. To provide legal indemnity, the draft law says no suit, prosecution or other proceedings will lie against the government, Wapda, the director general, any officer or staff member of the force, or any other person exercising powers or performing functions under the law in good faith. “In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of the act, an officer or staff of the force shall not be subject to any criminal or civil liability for actions taken in exercise of powers and functions under this Wapda Security Force Act,” it says. Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2026
Some parts of India are grappling with power cuts as record-breaking heat has pushed electricity demand to an all-time high in excess of 270 gigawatts, spurring a government call for consumers to limit use. An El Niño weather pattern is bringing above-average summer temperatures across the subcontinent in May, with nighttime outages running from 40 minutes to an hour in the manufacturing and infotech hub of Chennai, residents said. “South Chennai has seen frequent power cuts over the past two days, with outages at short intervals,” said R. Hari, a resident of the southern city, who complained that they made it difficult to work from home. India’s peak power deficit late on Thursday evening was about 2.57 gigawatts, said national regulator Grid-India. “Although we are prepared to supply electricity as required, due to the intense summer, let us all try to use electricity wisely and judiciously,” the power ministry said in a statement on Friday. Shortages are chronic during the evening hours as supply then relies heavily on thermal and hydropower sources, while daytime demand is met partly by solar generation. The record heat and surging electricity demand are testing India’s power system, said Disha Aggarwal, senior programme lead at energy and environment think-tank CEEW, as hotter nights become the norm. India needs to urgently fast-track commissioning of battery storage to make use of surplus solar energy at night, she added. From Friday to May 27, weather authorities have forecast “heatwave to severe heatwave conditions” for the capital New Delhi, along with large northern and eastern areas. Several people in New Delhi and the neighbouring city of Noida took to X to complain of power outages during the night. In the eastern coastal state of Odisha, some users have protested against longer power cuts in some areas during both day and night, residents and media said.