Peshawar (Web Desk): The World Bank (WB) has given the Khyber-Pakhtunkwa government a positive response for funding three hydropower projects.
The projects include Gabral-Kalam Hydro Power Project (HPP) in Swat which will add 110 megawatts to the grid. The project is estimated to cost $413 million. It also includes Barikot Patrak hydropower project in Upper Dir which is 47 megawatts with a cost of $148 million. Shringal-Patrak hydropower project is the third project which will add 22megawatts and is estimated to cost $83 million.
The provincial government has been negotiating with the WB for securing a Rs70 billion loan to finance its developmental projects, however, no deal has been finalized yet.
“We don’t know about the rest of the projects but they the bank are giving us loan and the first tranche would be received in July,” said the official, adding that $100 million would be paid in the first tranche for feasibility studies and detail designing and capacity building for the three projects.