Peshawar – June 25, 2025: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has formally protested the federal government’s exclusion of two major hydropower projects from the latest National Electricity Plan 2024–30, accusing the Centre of undermining provincial development rights and energy autonomy.
The projects in question — Balakot Hydropower Project (300MW) and the Torcamp-Guddubar Hydropower Project (191MW) — were removed from the finalized list of priority schemes approved by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) earlier this month.
Provincial Grievances Over Federal Energy Policy
In a statement released by KP’s Department of Energy and Power, officials said that the province had submitted concrete proposals and technical justifications, which were ignored without explanation.
“Excluding KP’s fully prepared, investment-ready power projects is discriminatory and counterproductive to national energy goals,” a senior provincial official stated.
Impact on KP’s Energy Goals
KP officials argue that the omission:
- Jeopardizes billions in potential investments, including loans from multilateral lenders like the ADB
- Delays the province’s clean energy transition goals
- Undermines interprovincial trust in national energy planning
- Hurts the livelihoods of local communities dependent on these projects
The Balakot project is already under construction with partial funding secured, while the Torcamp-Guddubar project had completed feasibility and environmental studies.
Federal Government’s Position
The federal Ministry of Energy has not publicly responded to the protest yet. However, sources suggest the revised plan focuses on “nationally strategic” projects, giving preference to larger, centrally managed schemes.
KP officials counter that their proposed projects are cost-effective, green, and grid-supportive, and should be included under any rational expansion framework.
Call for Reconsideration
The KP government has submitted a formal letter of protest to the Ministry of Energy and the Planning Commission, demanding a reassessment of project criteria and equal representation in national decision-making forums like the CCI.
“Energy federalism must respect constitutional rights. Ignoring KP’s potential undermines both climate commitments and national equity,” said an opposition lawmaker in the KP Assembly.
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