In the village of Barshamnal, situated in Pakistan, residents enjoy uninterrupted access to electricity for a mere monthly fee of Rs 100, while other regions of the country grapple with ongoing protests against exorbitant power bills and frequent blackouts.
Several years ago, a visionary individual from Barshamnal took the initiative to establish a small-scale hydropower facility along a village stream. This ingenious plant now caters to the energy needs of every household in the community, requiring only a nominal payment from its inhabitants.
Shaukat Ali, the driving force behind this hydropower endeavor, made a significant investment of one million rupees approximately eight years ago to bring this project to life. Today, it provides electricity to over 150 homes within the village.
Barshamnal village, nestled in the Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is reaping the benefits of this accessible electricity, enabling residents to power their homes with lighting, refrigeration, fans, washing machines, and irons.
Shaukat Ali’s journey into private power generation was sparked by a local car mechanic’s suggestion, encouraging him to invest not just for personal gain but for the betterment of the entire village. Ali ingeniously acquired a small canal, a dedicated room, and the necessary equipment to divert water from a major canal, enabling electricity generation without obstructing the natural flow of water.
Barshamnal has since expanded its energy solutions, boasting seven small hydropower plants that deliver affordable electricity to approximately 800 households. This innovative approach harnesses the power of flowing water without disrupting its course, as the water is seamlessly returned to the stream after utilization.
By constructing a dam on the stream, redirecting water through a tailor-made canal, and employing a turbine, Barshamnal has managed to achieve sustainable electricity generation. This remarkable success story serves as a potential blueprint for addressing electricity challenges in other regions of Pakistan.
