Synergics Hydro Power of the US has announced plans to invest over US$970M in two new ‘build, operate, transfer’ hydroelectric schemes in Pakistan.
The schemes are the 600MW Kohala project on the Jehlum river in Azad Jammu and Kashmir province, and the 84MW Matiltan project in the Swat district of the NorthWest Frontier province. The Kohala scheme, costing an estimated US$850M, will involve diversion of the Jehlum river through a 372m tunnel. Ground surveys and the feasibility study have been completed by Norway’s Norconsult.
Synergics is currently negotiating power purchase agreements for the plants with the state power company, the Water & Power Development Authority. Both projects are scheduled for commissioning in 2006 and they are due to be transferred to the government after 20 years.
