WAPDA Chairman Reviews Progress of Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project

PAKISTAN

Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Muhammad Saeed paid a detailed visit to major components of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T5 HPP), which is being constructed on Tunnel No. 5 of Tarbela Dam.

The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are providing financial assistance for the project.

Member (Water) Syed Ali Akhtar Shah, Member (Power) Muhammad Arfan Miana, General Manager/Project Director T5 HPP, General Manager Tarbela Dam, General Manager (Power) Tarbela, Advisor Projects WAPDA, and Advisor T4 & T5 were also present on the occasion, a WAPDA spokesperson told the media.

The chairman was briefed on the progress, challenges, and timelines for the completion of key activities, including the intake structure, connecting tunnel, powerhouse, switchyard, and transmission line. Overall progress on the project has reached 56 percent. With the completion of civil and electro-mechanical works, the first unit of the project is expected to start power generation in April 2027.

Reviewing the project’s progress, the chairman said that construction work must be accelerated on critical fronts, particularly the connecting tunnel and powerhouse, through coordinated efforts by consultants, contractors, and WAPDA’s project team. He also directed the project management to ensure strict adherence to quality standards stipulated for the project’s implementation.

The Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project has a cumulative generation capacity of 1,530 megawatts, comprising three generating units of 510 MW each. The World Bank and AIIB are providing US$390 million and US$300 million, respectively, for the construction of the project. Upon completion, the project will supply 1.466 billion units of low-cost, clean, and green electricity to the national grid annually. The project will increase Tarbela Dam’s installed power generation capacity from 4,888 MW to 6,418 MW.

Later, the chairman also visited the low-level outlets and powerhouse of the 1,410 MW Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project. Since its commissioning in 2018, the Tarbela 4th Extension has contributed 33 billion units of electricity to the national grid. – LAHORE: APP/ER News Desk

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