The Mohmand Hydropower Project, a flagship venture under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), has achieved three major engineering milestones this October, underscoring rapid progress toward its targeted completion in 2028, Gwadar Pro reported on Tuesday. According to project authorities on Monday, significant breakthroughs include the commencement of lower-level excavation of the right-bank diversion tunnel, following the completion of nearly 75 percent of the upper section. 

This step will enhance the project’s overall construction efficiency and allow for faster water diversion management during subsequent phases. Concrete pouring at the dam’s high toe block has also begun, marking the project’s transition into the peak phase of dam construction. In parallel, consolidation grouting for Diversion Tunnel No. 2 has started, reinforcing the tunnel structure to ensure long-term safety and stability under high hydraulic pressure.

Located on the Swat River in Mohmand district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the 800 MW hydropower project will produce approximately 2.86 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable electricity each year.  Beyond power generation, the project will provide over 140 million cubic meters of clean drinking water annually, irrigate more than 16,700 hectares of farmland, and help mitigate flooding in downstream areas such as Nowshera, Charsadda, and Peshawar. The Mohmand Dam is being implemented by the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) in collaboration with the China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and other local partners.

Officials have praised CEEC’s advanced engineering techniques, adherence to safety protocols, and efficient construction management that have helped maintain steady progress despite challenging terrain and weather conditions. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly strengthen Pakistan’s water storage and energy security while promoting sustainable agricultural development and regional resilience against climate-induced water stress, according to Gwadar Pro.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China