The Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project has recently achieved its maximum generation capacity of 969 MW following the completion of repair work on one of its tunnels.
Since the resumption of operations earlier this month after the inspection of the tail race tunnel (TRT), the project has been consistently operational, contributing electricity to the National Grid, particularly during Sehr and Iftar in the holy month of Ramadan.
Utilizing the low-flow season, the operation of the Neelum Jhelum Hydroelectric Project was halted on January 10 for the inspection of the rehabilitated tail race tunnel. Following a successful detailed inspection, generation from the project resumed earlier this month. Notably, an International Panel of Experts also inspected the tail race tunnel.
The Neelum Jhelum project stands out as a unique hydropower endeavor, with 90% of its infrastructure located underground beneath high mountains. Completed in 2018 on the River Neelum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the project includes a dam at Nauseri, an extensive underground waterway system consisting of 52-kilometer-long tunnels, and an underground powerhouse at Chattar Kalas housing four power generating units, each with a capacity of 242.25 MW.