Opportunities and challenges for hydro development in Pakistan

Pakistan has a vast hydropower potential equivalent to 40000 MW of capacity, of which only 5000 MW has been developed. Meanwhile, the country imports about 6.5 × 10⁶ of oil, costing about $3.5 billion a year, to operate 9000 MW of thermal capacity. The present peak demand of 12000 MW is likely to increase to 20000 MW by 2010 and 39000 MW by 2020, making the development of hydropower imperative. A number of constraints must be overcome, including financial problems and the resistance to hydro schemes by some environmental groups.