Balakot HPP to generate Rs15bn annually for KP, says provincial minister

PESHAWAR: The 300 MW Balakot Hydropower Project, the province’s largest, is currently under rapid construction in Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This ambitious undertaking is poised to serve as a significant catalyst for stabilizing the province’s economy and generating numerous employment prospects. Funded in part by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the project’s completion is expected to yield an annual income of Rs 15 billion for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

These insights were shared by Provincial Minister of Energy and Power Nazir Ahmad Abbasi during a certificates distribution ceremony held at PEDO House in Peshawar, marking the culmination of a training program for PEDO staff under the Community Support and Development Program of the Balakot Power Project, titled “Strengthening Institutional Capacity of PEDO in Development.”

The gathering also featured PEDO CEO Engineer Anwarul Haq, Senior Director Admin and Finance Zia Ur Rehman, and additional senior officers and staff. At the ceremony, the minister provided an update on the project’s advancement, under PEDO’s watchful eye, and announced that the remaining construction, set to be overseen by Chinese firm Gazoba China and Turkish consultant Dolsar, would be completed within the next six years, ushering in a new era of development for the province.

Emphasizing the significance of the project’s Community Support and Development Program, Minister Abbasi lauded PEDO CEO and his team, highlighting the importance of training field staff, particularly those directly involved in the project. He reiterated his commitment to completing the project within the set timeframe, upholding stringent quality standards.

Following the ceremony, the Provincial Minister presented certificates and mementos to the trained PEDO field staff, urging similar training initiatives in other projects to bolster the workforce’s capabilities.