Ayesha Saba

Mohmand Dam is expected to play a significant role in arresting the declining water table in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and preserving the underground water for future generations in a sustainable way, said Muhammad Nadeem, Sub Divisional Officer of WAPDA, while talking to WealthPK. “In such circumstances, Pakistan can build additional dams immediately in order to improve water management and generate cheaper electricity to meet our energy needs in a sustainable manner. Besides, the project will deal with major challenges in the region like flood protection, renewable energy production, and rural development in a crisis zone,” Nadeem said. "It will also support Pakistan's efforts to achieve the goals stated in ‘Vision 2025’ of more than doubling its installed hydropower capacity by 2030 as part of its pillar IV 'Energy, Food and Water Security’, as well as SDG-2 (Food Security), SDG-6 (Clean Water), and SDG-7 (Clean Energy) while embodying SDG-17 (Partnerships for the Goals)," he added.

“The dam has the most technically possible height since water will flow to all of the intended sites without the need for pumping. The operational costs of the dam are cheaper than those of other dams, and its water is comparatively cleaner,” he said. “At present, the construction work is progressing on all 11 sites. These sites include diversion tunnels, power in tech, power waterway, spillway, regulation pond, left bank irrigation tunnel, power house, main dam excavation, link roads, and project colony. The diversion system is scheduled to be completed in November this year, while the project is likely to be completed in 2026,” he informed WealthPK. The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) recently signed a US$240 million loan agreement to support Mohmand Multipurpose Dam Project.

The Fund has financed around 41 development projects and programs in Pakistan, amounting to approximately $1.4 billion. Mohmand Dam project, which is co-financed by the SFD, OPEC, Islamic Development Bank, and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, is expected to have a significant impact on Pakistan's energy and water sectors, according to WealthPk research. According to WAPDA, Mohmand Dam would be the fifth highest concrete-face-rock-fill dam in the world and its first unit would be completed in December 2025. Upon completion, the dam will be able to store 1.2-million-acre-feet water. The dam will help check floods and cultivate 160,000 acres of existing agricultural land as well as 18,237 acres of new land.

Credit: INP-WealthPk