The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has admitted a tariff petition submitted by the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO) for the proposed 300MW Balakot Hydropower Project and scheduled a public hearing for July 2, 2026.

According to NEPRA's public notice, the hydropower project will be established in Balakot, District Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as part of efforts to expand Pakistan’s renewable energy generation capacity and strengthen the national power supply system.

PEDO has requested a levelised tariff of Rs17.7103 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for a control period of 30 years, equivalent to approximately 6.36 US cents per kWh. The project is designed with an installed capacity of 300 megawatts, an estimated plant factor of 43.5 percent, and auxiliary consumption of around 2 percent.

The total project cost has been estimated at approximately $612.56 million. The largest component of the investment, amounting to $513.22 million, has been allocated for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) activities. An additional $22.10 million has been earmarked for PEDO’s management, overhead, and administrative expenses.

Furthermore, $57.09 million has been allocated for land acquisition, resettlement, security arrangements, and legal costs, while soft costs associated with the project are estimated at $20.15 million.

NEPRA will conduct the public hearing on July 2, 2026, at its headquarters in Islamabad, with online participation also available for stakeholders. The regulator has invited all interested and affected parties to participate in the proceedings and submit intervention requests within seven days of the publication of the notice in accordance with the NEPRA Tariff Standards and Procedure Rules, 1998.

The authority stated that comments and feedback received during the consultation process will be taken into consideration before issuing a final tariff determination.

The Balakot Hydropower Project forms part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s broader strategy to utilize its vast hydropower resources, increase renewable energy generation, reduce reliance on imported fuels, and contribute low-cost electricity to Pakistan’s national grid over the long term.