Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant

Neelum–Jhelum Dam
LOT-C1, Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Project
Location of Neelum–Jhelum Dam in Pakistan
CountryPakistan
LocationMuzaffarabad
Coordinates34°23′34″N 73°43′08″E / 34.39278°N 73.71889°E / 34.39278; 73.71889
StatusDamaged (Under Maintenance)
Construction began2008
Opening date14 August 2018
Construction costRs. 515 Billion ($5.1 billion)
Owner(s)Water and Power Development Authority
Dam and spillways
Type of damConcrete gravity
ImpoundsNeelum River
Height60 m (197 ft)
Length125 m (410 ft)
Dam volume156,000 m3 (204,040 cu yd)
Reservoir
Total capacity8,000,000 m3 (6,486 acre⋅ft)
Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Plant
Coordinates34°11′54″N 73°30′41″E / 34.19833°N 73.51139°E / 34.19833; 73.51139
Commission dateMarch 2018
TypeConventional, diversion
Hydraulic head420 m (1,378 ft)
Turbines4 x 242.25 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity969 MW
Capacity factor54.8%
Annual generation4,630 GWh

The Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant is part of a run-of-the-river hydroelectric power project in Pakistan administered Kashmir, designed to divert water from the Neelum River to a power station on the Jhelum River. The power station is located 42 km (26 mi) south of Muzaffarabad, and has an installed capacity of 969 MW. Construction on the project began in 2008 after a Chinese consortium was awarded the construction contract in July 2007. After many years of delays, the first generator was commissioned in April 2018 and the entire project was completed in August 2018 when the fourth and last unit was synchronized with the national grid on 13 August and attained its maximum generation capacity of 969 MW on 14 August 2018. It will generate 5,150 GWh (gigawatt hour) per year at the levelised tariff of Rs 13.50 per unit for 30 years.

The plant had managed to reach 1040 MW production on a few occasions, which is beyond its capacity and a rare precedence in hydel power sector.