Chairman WAPDA, Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd), visited the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project and reviewed construction progress on key components. He was accompanied by a World Bank team headed by Advisor Masood Ahmed and Task Team Leader Gautum Gunjan.

Member (Power) WAPDA, GM Tarbela Dam Project, PD Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project and representatives of the Consultants and the Contractors were also present on occasion.

After the detailed visit to the various sites, the Chairman also presided over a progress review meeting at the Project Office. The Project Management briefed the Chairman and the World Bank team about the progress achieved so far on seven key sites of the Project, which included intake, tunnel, penstock and outlet, powerhouse, tail race culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard. Resource deployment, timelines and implementation plan for completion of the Project were also discussed during the meeting. It was briefed that electricity generation from the Project is likely to commence in 2025-26.

Addressing the meeting, the Chairman emphasized the need for timely completion of the Project to cope with the increasing demand for energy in the country through green, clean, and affordable electricity. He urged the Consultants and Contractors to maximize their efforts so that the Project could be completed by 2025-26.

WAPDA is constructing the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project on Tunnel No. 5 of Tarbela Dam. World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank provide financial assistance for the Project, which is US$ 390 million and US$ 300 million, respectively. The cumulative generation capacity of the Project stands at 1530 MW, with three generating units of 510 MW each. The Project will provide 1.347 billion units of environment-friendly and low-cost hydel electricity to the National Grid annually. With the completion of the Tarbela 5th Extension, the installed capacity at Tarbela Dam will increase from 4888 MW to 6418 MW.