In a major achievement for Pakistan’s energy sector, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has successfully restored the damaged generating unit at the Gomal Zam Hydel Power Station, enabling the facility to resume full electricity production after operating at reduced capacity for the past eight years.

The rehabilitated unit has successfully completed testing and has been synchronized with the National Grid, restoring the hydropower plant to its full installed generation capacity of 17.4 megawatts (MW).

The Gomal Zam Hydel Power Station, located in South Waziristan, consists of two generating units of 8.7MW each. Since 2016, the plant had been operating at only half of its capacity due to a technical fault that affected one of the units. With the restoration now complete, both units are fully operational once again.

According to WAPDA, the restored facility will strengthen the reliability of electricity supply, particularly in remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while contributing additional clean and renewable energy to Pakistan’s national power system.

The hydropower station has the capacity to generate approximately 90.9 million units (kWh) of electricity annually, helping reduce dependence on expensive fossil fuels while supporting the country’s growing energy needs through sustainable power generation.

Energy experts view the restoration as an important milestone in maximizing the performance of Pakistan’s existing hydropower infrastructure. The project is expected to enhance grid stability, improve energy efficiency, and contribute to the government’s broader efforts to increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy mix.

The successful rehabilitation of the Gomal Zam Hydel Power Station reflects WAPDA’s continued commitment to modernizing critical energy infrastructure and ensuring reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly electricity for communities across Pakistan.