Pakistan Charges Residents Only Rs. 100 From Barshammal Villlage Monthly For Electricity

In the village of Barshamnal in Pakistan, residents enjoy uninterrupted electricity around the clock for a nominal monthly fee of Rs 100, in contrast to ongoing protests against high electricity bills and frequent power outages in other regions of the country.

Several years ago, a local individual in Barshamnal initiated a small hydropower project along a stream that flows through the village. This project now supplies electricity to every household in the village, and residents only need to make a modest payment.

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Shaukat Ali, the visionary behind this hydropower venture, invested one million rupees approximately eight years ago to establish the project. Today, it serves over 150 homes within the village.

Located in the Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Barshamnal’s inhabitants now have access to electricity for lighting, refrigeration, fans, washing machines, and irons in their homes.

Shaukat Ali embarked on this journey into private power generation after a local auto mechanic suggested that he invest not only for his benefit but for the entire community. Ali acquired a small canal, a dedicated space, and equipment to divert water from a major canal, enabling him to generate electricity without obstructing the natural flow of water.

Barshamnal is now home to seven small hydropower plants that offer cost-effective electricity to nearly 800 households. This innovative approach harnesses the power of flowing water without disrupting its course, with the water being returned to the stream after use.

The success story of Barshamnal’s hydropower initiative provides a potential solution for other regions in Pakistan grappling with electricity challenges.