WAPDA chairman reviews Tarbela expansion projects, stresses timely completion

The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Lt Gen (r) Muhammad Saeed, on Monday reviewed progress on key hydropower expansion works at the Tarbela Dam, 24NewsHD reported.

According to a statement, he visited the dam along with Chairman of the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), Amjad Saeed, as both officials stressed the need for timely completion of projects aimed at boosting electricity generation and ensuring water availability for agriculture.

During the visit, the WAPDA chairman inspected all major construction sites of the Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project, where project officials briefed him on construction progress and developments on various components of the scheme.

Muhammad Saeed praised the performance of the project team and directed authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure timely completion.

The Tarbela Fifth Extension Project will add 1,530 megawatts of electricity to Pakistan’s national grid.

Officials said the project is being financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

According to the briefing, the World Bank is providing $390 million for the project, while the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is contributing $300 million.

Officials added that the completion of the fifth extension project will raise Tarbela Dam’s total power generation capacity to 6,418 megawatts.

The WAPDA chairman also visited the Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower Project, where he observed the test commissioning of the Low Level Outlet facility.

Project authorities said the outlet is essential for supplying water to provinces during the Kharif season in line with IRSA water allocations. Muhammad Saeed also visited the machine hall and control room of the Tarbela Fourth Extension Project.

Officials informed him that electricity generation from the project began in March 2018 and that the World Bank-funded scheme has already supplied more than 33 billion units of electricity to the national grid.

The WAPDA chairman later attended a briefing on the operation and maintenance of Tarbela Dam and Khanpur Dam.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani