The Ashkot Hydropower Project was identified as a raw site on the Neelum River near the village of Ashkot, some 75 Km from Muzaffarabad capital of AJ&K. The Project is owned by a SPV Ashkot Energy (Pvt) Limited and being developed by the Laraib Group, the developer of the first hydro IPP of Pakistan, 84MW New Bong Escape HPP and the 640MW Azad Pattan HPP. During feasibility, the site and project capacity was optimized to 300MW. The Feasibility study of the Project was undertaken by Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt.) Limited and reviewed by Mr. Peter Rae, a

Canada based hydropower expert.

The bankable feasibility study is under approval by the Panel of Experts and further processing including issuance of letter of support to enable the Project to move towards financial closing and construction start will be issued after approval by POE.

The Project will be held on a 30 year term on a BOOT basis. Salient features include a 7km tunnel, 117 meter gross head, intake weir, underground powerhouse, design discharge 309 cumecs and an annual generation of l,347GWh.

The geological conditions for the Project are good and the tunnel as well as the powerhouse will be built substantially within good rock conditions.

The Project cost is estimated at US $780 million and the feasibility stage tariff is 8.65 US cents per kWh (Levelized) with a construction time of 5 years.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2015