Gomal Zam hydropower station restored to full capacity after eight years

The Gomal Zam Hydropower Station has returned to its full 17.4 megawatt capacity after an eight-year outage affecting one of its two generating units. Both units ceased operation in October 2016 due to a significant technical fault. While one unit was repaired and brought back online in June 2018, restoring half the station's power, the second unit remained offline for years due to the complexity of its damage.

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the restoration marks a significant milestone for the country’s hydropower sector.

This prolonged partial operation meant the station generated only 8.7MW for eight years. The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has now successfully restored the second unit, synchronizing it with the national grid and bringing the facility back to its full generation capacity. This restoration is considered a significant milestone for Pakistan's hydropower sector.

The fully operational station will now contribute its complete capacity to Pakistan's energy network, supplying low-cost, environmentally friendly hydropower. This is expected to strengthen the electricity system in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dera Ismail Khan Division, and increase the share of renewable energy in the country's mix. Wapda highlighted that the project also aims to reduce dependence on imported fuels.

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the restoration of the power station will enhance the stability of electricity supply in South Waziristan, Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and other remote areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Wapda launched a rehabilitation project for the remaining units in April 2026, costing Rs359.5 million. The project was completed in 80 days, ahead of schedule, with the repaired unit recommissioned on June 25, 2026. The Gomal Zam Hydropower Station, connected via a 132-kilovolt transmission line, has the potential to generate approximately 90.9 million units of clean electricity annually. The dam itself, a major multi-purpose water resource project, was completed in 2013, with the hydropower component becoming fully operational in 2017.

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the project would also contribute to increasing the share of renewable energy in Pakistan’s electricity mix while reducing dependence on imported fuels.