Pakistan has begun construction of two hydropower projects on Nara and Rohri canals near Sukkur in order to address the energy crisis in the country.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and the country’s former president Asif Ali Zardari was cited by Pakistan Today as saying that the 15MW Nara hydropower project will be developed with an investment of $47.6m at RD-26 of Nara Canal.
The Rohri hydropower project, which is capable of generating 9MW of electricity, will be developed with an investment $36.4m at RD-15 of Rohri Canal.
Zardari said: "Once these both the projects become operational it would create great impact on local economy."
Pakistan is also planning to develop a 40MW hydropower project at Guddu Barrage.
The DAWN.com? cited Zardari as saying: "Although the two hydropower projects are small, they will certainly contribute significantly to the mitigation of electricity woes of Sindh people and help overcome the crisis that has gripped the entire country."
Earlier, Pakistan Finance and Energy Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said: "The projects will bring about a green revolution in this region as all big and small growers will be able to irrigate their lands by using electrical machinery."
