The Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project has been shut down for the second time in a year due to safety concerns, the Water and Power Development Authority has said.

In a statement on Thursday, the authority announced the closure on Thursday, citing pressure fluctuations in the project’s headrace tunnel.

The 969-megawatt plant, valued at over Rs500 billion, had just resumed full operations in March after a 13-month shutdown to repair cracks in the tailrace tunnel. On April 2, a sudden drop in headrace tunnel pressure forced a reduction in power generation. Despite attempts to stabilise the pressure, further fluctuations led to a complete shutdown on May 1 for safety reasons.

WAPDA is currently working with project consultants and international experts to identify the cause of the pressure fluctuations and develop a plan for remedial works. The process involves dewatering the 48km-long headrace tunnel for physical inspection.

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This latest setback raises concerns about the project’s long-term viability and its history of technical issues. The Neelum-Jhelum project, which began construction in 2002 and was completed in 2018, has faced repeated delays, cost overruns, and safety concerns.

The repeated shutdowns have resulted in significant financial losses, with previous repairs costing around Rs6 billion and an estimated Rs37 billion in lost energy generation. WAPDA has filed insurance claims for these losses and is engaging in discussions regarding the current situation.