Project Brief:
Lawi Hydropower Project is a run-off river project which was identified by WAPDA and the feasibility study was completed in 2007-2008. The PC-I cost of the project is Rs. 20,087.50 Million. The EPC Contract of the Project has been awarded to JV of M/s Sichuan (Chinese Firm) – Sarwar (Pakistani Firm) – Silian (Chinese Firm) – Chongqing Luyang (Chinese Firm) and its commencement date is November 3, 2016.
The Project site is located in Drosh Tehsil on Shishi River (a left tributary of Chitral River) which is about 40 Km short of Chitral city. The Powerhouse of the project is located on N-45 road in Basnak village at a distance of 4 Km from Drosh Town whereas the Weir is situated in Lao Nisar Village at 18 Km from Powerhouse.
Salient Features:
Location : Village Lawi, Drosh, District Lower Chitral
Generating Capacity : 69 MW
Design Discharge : 20 m3/s
Net Head : 398.5 m
Tunnel Length : 12,117 m
Annual Energy : 308 Gwh
Approved Tariff : Rs. 7.94/kwh
Revenue Per Year : Rs. 2,400 Million (expected)
Progress (Physical) : 52.30
Project Status:
- The construction activities have been resumed in January, 2023.
- Currently the Project progress is 30% as on June 30, 2023.
- Project revised completion is December 31, 2024.
Challenges Faced During Construction:
- Delay in issuance of explosive NOC by Local Administration
- Closure of Sust border affected the import of construction machinery from China
- Occurrence of flash flood in shishi river (weir site)
- Stoppage of work at Adit tunnel-3 by Locals
- Suspension of work due to outbreaks of covid-19 in Pakistan causing force majeure situation
- Security reasons including Dasu incident with Chinese
- Poor geological conditions encountered in tunnel during excavation
- Due to modification of tunnel alignment, additional construction of Adits with required access roads & site camps took considerable time.
- Design modification of powerhouse foundation
- Stoppage of work by the Contractor due to devaluation of Pakistani rupee and abnormal price hikes of construction material.
- The project was delayed by more than one (1) year due to price hike and dollar rupee parity. Issue of termination or continuity of contract was referred to policy board chaired by CM KP, wherein approval for financial help and escalation was granted, after which the work has been resumed at site.