TARBELA/LAHORE: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt-Gen (r) Sajjad Ghani has directed the contractor to chalk out a recovery plan and implement it in letter and spirit for completion of 1,530 MW-Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project according to schedule.
Lt-Gen (r) Sajjad Ghani issued the directives during a visit to review progress at various sites of the project here Wednesday. A delegation of the World Bank (WB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) also accompanied him. Member Water, Member Power, GM (Coordination and Monitoring), GM Tarbela Dam Project, PD Tarbela 5th Extension and Project Managers of the consultants and the contractors were present on the occasion.
The Wapda chairman had a detailed visit of the key sites, which include the powerhouse, tail-race-tunnel and downstream coffer dam, etc. He expressed satisfaction over the completion of the up and downstream coffer dams before the onset of the current high-flow season.
“Completion of the downstream coffer dam has made it possible to continue construction work on the powerhouse and the tail race despite the opening of the service spillway of Tarbela Dam during the ongoing high flows, the Chairman pointed out.
He was briefed that excavation for the powerhouse and the tail-race-tunnel as well as slope stabilization for the switch yard are in progress. While modification in the existing Tunnel No. 5 is also going on. Detailed presentations were also made to the Chairman about the progress of civil and electro-mechanical contracts of the Project.
Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project is a component of a green, clean and least-cost energy generation plan, the WAPDA is implementing on a war-footings. World Bank is providing US$ 390 million and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is US$ 300 million for completion of the project.
Electricity generation from the project will start in 2025. With the completion of the Tarbela 5th Extension, the installed capacity at Tarbela Dam will increase from 4888 MW to 6418 MW.
