Tarbela Dam supplied 586 billion electricity units, released 419 million acre-feet water in 50 years: Wapda

The Water and Power Development Authority said Tarbela Dam had released more than 419 million acre-feet of stored water for irrigation and supplied 586 billion units of low-cost hydropower to the national grid over the past 50 years, generating economic benefits estimated at around $460 billion for Pakistan since 1974.

The details were shared during a briefing to Wapda Chairman Muhammad Saeed during his visit to the Tarbela Dam and Khanpur Dam fourth and fifth extension projects.

The chairman reviewed progress on the under-construction Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project and also witnessed testing and commissioning of the low-level outlet at the Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydropower Project.

Indus River System Authority Chairman Amjad Saeed, members of Irsa’s technical committee and Wapda officials accompanied him during the visit.

At the fifth extension project, officials briefed the chairman on progress related to the intake structure, connecting tunnel, penstock and low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard.

Officials said work was underway to complete all project components within the planned timelines.

The chairman directed the project team, consultants and contractors to expedite construction while maintaining quality and safety standards.

The Tarbela Fifth Extension Project has an installed generation capacity of 1,530MW.

The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are financing the project with contributions of $390 million and $300 million respectively.

Once completed, Tarbela’s total installed generation capacity will increase from 4,888MW to 6,418MW.

During the visit to the fourth extension project, officials informed the chairman that the facility, completed with World Bank assistance, started electricity generation in March 2018 and has so far supplied 33.254 billion units of electricity to the national grid.

Officials added that testing and commissioning of the low-level outlet was conducted to ensure the project could meet Irsa’s water release requirements for the kharif season.