LAHORE: The economic gains that have resulted from Tarbela Dam Pakistan since its completion in 1974 amount to $460 billion, which means the construction of the dam stands out as one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the country’s history. This fact was revealed by Wapda when briefing Chairman, retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, who visited the projects on Monday.
In the past fifty years, more than 419 million acre-feet of water have been discharged from the Tarbela Dam in Pakistan for use in irrigation along with producing 586 billion units of inexpensive electricity, both of which have played a key role in agriculture and power production in Pakistan.
Fourth Extension Project Commissioned; Fifth Extension Underway
The chairman of Wapda undertook a visit that included important milestones in the two extension projects underway at the site. In regards to the fourth extension project, the chairman was shown the commissioning process of the low-level outlet, which was built in order to meet the requirements of Indus River System Authority for releasing water during the kharif season.
It was reported that the fourth extension of Tarbela started power production in March 2018 after its completion with the help of the World Bank, and it has produced an impressive 33.254 billion units into the national grid, which further proves the success of the extensions of Tarbela Dam in Pakistan.
Fifth Extension for Pushing Total Capacity up to 6,418 MW
Tarbela Dam Fifth Extension Power Plant project is by far the boldest expansion attempt ever made by Tarbela Dam, Pakistan. The fifth extension has an installed capacity of 1,530MW, which means the total installed capacity of Tarbela will increase to 6,418MW after the completion of fifth extension power plant, 31% more than the current installed capacity of 4,888MW.
It is pertinent to mention that the World Bank is contributing $390 million for the development work, while on the other hand the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is contributing an extra amount of $300 million, making a total of $690 million as the international financing facility for Tarbela Dam Pakistan.
The Wapda chairman made an overview of the progress achieved on all components from the intake structure, connection tunnel, penstock, low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal, and switch yard when giving the briefing at the fifth extension site. It is clear that all stakeholders have been making joint efforts in meeting deadlines for each component.
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Chairman WAPDA Instructs Team to Focus on Both Quality and Efficiency
The chairman WAPDA, retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, recognized the achievements of both extension plants during his visit to the site on Monday before giving clear instructions to the project management, consultants, and contractors. His instructions focused not only on the timely execution of the projects but also on achieving a high standard of engineering — something which is very important for the successful completion of the fifth extension of the Tarbela Dam Pakistan.
The Chairman of IRSA, Amjad Saeed, along with the members of IRSA’s Technical Committee, and the members of Wapda for Water & Power were all part of the entire journey with the Chairman in view of the importance of the event at hand.
What Does the Extension at Tarbela Mean for Pakistan’s Energy Future?
By adding another extension to the dam, Tarbela Dam in Pakistan will have an installed capacity of hydropower production of 6,418 MW, becoming one of the world’s largest installations of hydropower production facilities and thus the bedrock of the country’s clean energy production facilities for decades to come.
In an environment where Pakistan is grappling with such power sector problems as circular debt, costly thermal power plants, and increasing energy requirements, this new capacity of 1,530MW of renewable and affordable hydroelectricity through its fifth extension can be said to be exactly what the country’s national grid requires most.
