OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE Wapda generated 3.2 billion additional units of hydel electricity during the period July 2010 to March 2011 compared with the corresponding period last year and the low-cost electricity caused saving of Rs 35 billion to the national exchequer. This increased hydel generation was made possible due to availability of more water in the reservoirs and efficient operation and management of hydropower stations, says a statement issued by Wapda on Friday. According to the Wapda, as many as 23.6 billion units of hydel electricity were contributed from July 2010 to March 2011, while about 20.4 billion units were supplied during the same period last year. Tarbela generated 12.3 billion units during July 2010 to March 2011 compared with 10.9 billion units last year. Similarly, Ghazi Bartoha, the second in line, produced 5.5 billion units against 4.8 billion units last year and Mangla shared 4.2 billion units against last years 3 billion units, while Warsak and other hydel power stations added 1.6 billion units from July 2010 to March 2011 against almost the same quantum of electricity they contributed during the corresponding period last year, the Wapda said. The installed capacity of hydel power generation in the country stands at about 6,500MW, about one third of the total installed capacity. Wapda is executing a least-cost energy generation plan on priority basis with a view to improve the ratio of hydel electricity in the National Grid. Wapda will add 1,500 MW to this capacity through its under construction projects. Besides, it is also executing a number of mega hydro projects with a cumulative capacity of more than 20,000 MW including 4,500-MW DB Dam, 960-MW Tarbela 4th Ext, 7,100-MW Bunji, 4,320-MW Dasu and 740-MW Munda hydropower projects.