AFD backs upgrades for two hydro plants in Pakistan

Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) signed a €50 million loan ($62 million) and a grant of €200,000 last week for the Pakistan government to finance the modernisation of two hydro power projects in Pakistan – Dargai hydel power station (from 20 MW to 22 MW) and the Chitral hydel power plant (from 1 MW to 5 MW).

The upgrades are part of a wider push by the Pakistan Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to optimise hydropower resources in the country. WAPDA has initiated new hydropower projects while also rehabilitating and upgrading its existing hydel power stations to maximise the ratio of environment friendly and low-cost hydel electricity in Pakistan's national grid.