Islamabad: The Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has approved the issuance of Letters of Support (LoS) for two hydropower projects in Azad Kashmir, according to a news report. One of the approved projects is a 7.08 MW hydropower plant at Ghori Wala Nullah in Neelum Valley. The other is the 8 MW Kathai-II project situated in Kathai Nullah, Jhelum Valley.
This approval is being lauded as a positive step towards the initiation of small hydropower projects all over Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK).
PPIB Managing Director Shah Jahan Mirza recently addressed a meeting held to discuss these developments. This session was presided over by Power Minister Omar Ayub Khan, who reiterated that the ultimate goal of the government is to provide affordable electricity throughout the country without any outages.
Mirza also briefed the attendees on the various ongoing power projects under the board’s jurisdiction, and informed them about the issues faced by Independent Power Producers (IPPs). These operational impediments require the board’s approval to be resolved, so that the projects can resume.
