ISLAMABAD: Remedial work on 969MW Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project (NJHP), which has been non-operational since July 06, is likely to be completed by the end of February 2023, it was learnt on Monday.
According to documents available with Pakistan Today/Profit, the restoration work on the 969-megawatt (MW) Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project is going on day and night. And, the remedial work on NJHP is likely to be completed by the end of February 2023. The NJHP has been non-operational since July 06, 2022 due to blockage in its Tail Race Tunnel (TRT).
On July 04, 2022, when the plant was running at its full capacity (969MW), an abnormal increase in water leakage was observed in the powerhouse which was controlled through continuous drainage pumps. Upon investigation, high water pressure in the Tail Race Tunnel (TRT) was observed.
Accordingly, on July 05, 2022, it was concluded by the project consultants that abnormal increase in TRT pressure and water leakages/seepage in power house are due to blockage in TRT. Considering safety of the power structure and all other equipment/machinery, units were shut down gradually. Resultantly, the powerhouse was shut down on July 05, 2022.
Immediately after this incident M/s China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC), the contractor for construction of civil works was engaged for carrying out remedial works. The firm immediately mobilized to the site and a contract agreement was signed with it on August 5, 2022 and the work commenced from August 27, 2022.
As per the directives of the Prime Minister, a five members Independent Panel of Experts (IPOE) has been engaged for escorting the causes of the blockage. And, IPOE has submitted its initial report in which a number of reasons have attributed to the cause of the blockage.
As per available documents, NJHP is insured with NICL; accordingly, upon occurrence of the incident on July 06, 2022, the insurance company has been informed on July 07, 2022. NICL, loss adjuster and its re-insurers have already visited the site for several times.
The Neelum-Jhelum Hydroelectric Project has an installed capacity of 969MW and can generate 4.663 billion units of electricity annually. The dam at the river Neelum, is at Nauseri, 41 kilometer north-east of Muzaffarabad, diverts the water into the headrace tunnel.
About 19.6 stretch of the Headrace Tunnel (HRT) is a twin tunnel having diameter of 8.5 m each. The remaining 8.93 km tunnel is a single tunnel of diameter 9.6 m. The total lengths of the tunnels including Headrace, Tailrace and access tunnels is 68.5 km.
The powerhouse of the project is located near Chattar Kalas, 22 km south of Muzaffarabad. Water release from the powerhouse out fall in Jhelum River after passing through a 3.5km tailrace tunnel.
The total approved cost as per approved PC-I was Rs 506.808 billion. Foreign component has been financed by China Exim Bank, Saudi Fund Development, Islamic Development Bank and Kuwait Fund for Development as a loan.
The project (NJHP) was substantially completed in 2018 and started generating power since April 2018 and so far it has generated 18.28 billion units.        Â
Construction of the project began in 2008 after a Chinese consortium was awarded the construction contract in July 2007.
