By Ayesha Saba ISLAMABAD, Feb. 21 (INP-WealthPK): The exploitation of hydropower potential of Azad Jammu and Kashmir under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will significantly contribute to Pakistan’s energy needs, besides turning around the region’s economy. Abundant water resources in the Himalayan state are also the major source of Pakistan’s Indus basin-based irrigation system, providing a lifeline to the country’s agriculture economy. Talking to WealthPK about the state’s potential in hydropower resources, Muhammad Adnan Khan, a socioeconomic development specialist at the CPEC Authority, said, “AJK by its strategic location brings immense significance to the concept and impact of CPEC for both China and Pakistan.” “Chinese firms have undertaken different hydropower projects (HPPs) in the state, including Karot hydropower station, Azad Pattan hydel station, Kohala hydropower plant and Mahl hydropower project.” He informed WealthPK that the Karot power station is likely to be operationalised in June 2022. “The project, being executed by China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), one of the world's largest hydroelectric power producers, is estimated to cost $1.7 billion. It is being executed on the River Jhelum.” “The 700MW run-of-the-river Azad Pattan hydropower project is also being developed on the River Jhelum. It is the second major CPEC project being executed in the state at a cost of $1.5bn. It is expected to start producing electricity in 2026,” the CPEC Authority official said. The CPEC Authority official said the 1,124MW Kohala hydropower project is being executed at a cost of $2.4 billion. “The 640MW Mahl HPP, which will also be built on the Jhelum River, is currently in the approval stage.”  “These clean-energy projects with direct Chinese investment will not only help Pakistan meet its electricity needs, but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thus effectively tackling the climate change phenomenon,” the CPEC Authority official maintained. Meanwhile, talking to WealthPK, Shahid Iqbal, Chief Engineer Civil, AJK Power Development Organisation (PDO), said, “The AJK government is playing its part to ensure that hydropower projects being executed in the region are completed on time. These projects are positively impacting the lives of AJK people in the shape of providing tens of thousands of jobs to locals.” He pointed out that AJK is currently contributing over 2,600MW of hydroelectricity to the national grid. The PDO chief engineer civil informed WealthPK that the state government has also identified many sites, where HPPs will be undertaken in future. “AJK has the potential to produce over 8,000MW of hydroelectricity, which could be exploited through public-private ventures.”