Lahore, January 19, 2016 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Zafar Mahmood has directed the project authorities to expedite construction work on the 1410 MW – Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project for its completion by June 2017 in accordance with the accelerated programme, which has been chalked out on the directions of the Prime Minister to commission the project ahead of schedule.
He expressed these views during his visit to the project today. WAPDA Member (Water) Muhammad Shoaib Iqbal, Tarbela Dam General Manager Iqbal Masood Siddiqui, Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project Director Sohail Khan and representatives of the consultants and contractors were also present during the visit.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project is of immense importance for overcoming electricity load-shedding in the country by injecting low-cost hydel power generation in the National Grid. Reviewing construction work, he said that timely completion of the project will enable WAPDA to fully utilize the high flow season of 2017. Therefore, every effort be made to achieve this target by removing bottlenecks, he added. The Chairman asked the project authorities, consultants and contractors for adhering to the time lines of the accelerated programme in addition to ensuring the stipulated construction standards of the project.
The Chairman witnessed construction works on intake and power house of the project during his visit.
Earlier, Tarbela Dam Project General Manager briefed the Chairman about the overall progress on the project with reference to the accelerated programme. Issues being faced by the project authorities and remedial measures for on-time completion of the project were also discussed. The General Manager said that early completion of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project in line with the Prime Minister’s directions will help WAPDA to generate additional electricity during the high flow season of 2017 amounting to US $ 300 million.
It is pertinent to mention that Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project will increase the generation capacity of Tarbela Hydel Power Station from 3478 MW to 4888 MW, after installation of three units – with installed capacity of 470 MW each -on Tunnel No. 4 of Tarbela Dam. The World Bank is providing US $840 million for construction of the project. On completion, Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project will add about 3.84 billion units of low-cost electricity to the National Grid per annum. Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at about Rs.30.7 billion. The project will pay back its cost in just three years.
For more information, contact:
Muhammad Abid Rana
Director Public Relations
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
G-32, WAPDA House, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99202633
Fax: +92-42-99203144
Cell: +92-333-4458293
Email: mabidrana@gmail.com
Website: www.wapda.gov.pk