PROPOSED UP-GRADATION OF 1 MW CHITRAL HYDROPOWER PROJECT
 
Introduction

The existing 1.0 MW Chitral Hydel Power Station is located on the right Bank of Lutkho River, 5 Km upstream of Chitral City. The Project was commissioned in 1975 by diverting the flows of Lutkho River through 3.72 Km long channel and installing 2 units of 200 KW and 2 units of 300 KW each. The power generated from Chitral Hydel station is supplied to Chitral City through 11 KV Transmission Line. 

Chitral Hydel Power Station is operated & maintained by WAPDA and is included in the Generation Licence No. GL (Hydel) 05/2004 dated 03.11.2004 issued by NEPRA in favour of WAPDA for its Hydel Power Stations.

Upgradation Scheme

The Power demand in Chitral area has increased and there is a dire need to upgrade the capacity of existing Hydel Power Station at Chitral. In the initial construction phase of Project, limited flows of Lutkho River were diverted to power Channel for generation of 1 MW only. However the river has abundant flows which can be utilized for Power Generation by constructing a small diversion weir, remodeling power channel & forebay and installation of new penstocks and additional units.

Preliminary Studies

WAPDA has started a Preliminary Study through its Hydro Planning Organization and Central Design Office for Upgradation of Existing Chitral Hydel Power Station from MW to 4 MW.

A four (4) meter high and 20 meter wide concrete weir above river and bed with two under sluices (4 meter wide each) is being planned to divert the increased design discharge (12.73 m3/sec) for power channel. The weir structure will raise water level by 1.5 m at the existing Intake and thus help in preventing the bed load entering into Power Channel. The weir is designed on the basis of PMF flood of 700 m3/sec with 100 Years return period.

Apart from the new diversion weir, the existing Intake, Power Channel, De-Sander and Forebay will be remodeled to accommodate the increased Design Discharge. One additional Penstock will be constructed to install new units proposed on the left side of existing Power House. The proposed parameters of Power House with Capacity of 4 MW will be as under:
Status Design Discharge Gross Head (M) Power (MW) No. of Generating Units
Existing 4.60 m3/S 36 1 2x200KW
2x300KW
Proposed 12.73 m3/S 37 4 2X300KW (Old)
2X1700KW (New)
Present Status
Topographic Survey, Geological Mapping for weir Intake, Power Channel and Power House areas and drilling at weir and Power House areas have been completed. Structural Design is being prepared by Central Design Office Wapda on the basis of Drawings of Project Components submitted by Hydro Planning Organization. Preliminary studies of the proposed up gradation Scheme of Chitral Power House will be completed shortly. 
Future Steps
Feasibility Study, Detailed Design and preparation of Tender Documents will be taken in hand on the basis of Preliminary Studies, followed by approval of PC-I Financing Arrangements and Construction of Project.

Updated as on 31-03-2012