Federal Minister for Water Resources Mian Muhammad Mueen Wattoo has stated that the Federal Government is committed to adding clean, green, and environment-friendly electricity to the national grid as a priority to provide relief to consumers and stabilise the national economy. Under-construction mega hydropower projects by WAPDA, including Tarbela 5th Extension, are the priority projects of the Government’s least-cost energy generation plan, and the Ministry of Water Resources is providing full support to WAPDA for completion of these vital projects as per their timelines.
The Federal Minister expressed these views during his visit to the under-construction 1530 MW Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project. Chairman WAPDA Naveed Asghar Chaudhry also accompanied him. Member Power, Member Water, GM Tarbela Dam, GM Power Tarbela, GM/PD Tarbela 5th Extension and Project Managers of the Consultants and the Contractors were also present on the occasion.
During the visit, the Minister reviewed progress on key components of the Project, which included power intake, penstock, powerhouse and connecting tunnel. The Minister was briefed on the site-wise progress as well as the timelines for completing critical activities. He was informed that construction work on all seven key work fronts is progressing at a good pace, while electricity generation from the Project is expected to begin in 2026.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress, the Minister urged the Management to complete the Project by the timelines.
It is pertinent to mention that WAPDA is constructing the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project on Tunnel No. 5 of Tarbela Dam. The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing US$390 million and US$300 million, respectively, for the construction of the Project. With an installed power generation capacity of 1530 MW, the Project will provide 1.347 billion units of hydel electricity to the National Grid on average every year. Installed capacity at Tarbela Dam will rise to 6418 MW from 4888 MW after completion of the Tarbela 5th Extension Project.
