LAHORE: Work on the detailed engineering design, preparation of tender documents and Project Cost (PC)-1 of 960MW Tarbela fourth extension hydropower project, undertaken by WAPDA, is expected to reach completion by September 2011. This mega project will later be available for initiating construction work, completion of which has been planned in a short-span of four years.
Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project, on its completion, will provide approximately two billion units of cheap electricity to the national grid per annum. Significantly, the project will also ensure a cushion to undertake rehabilitation and up gradation of the existing Tarbela power house during the lean period.
This project is a part of a minimum cost energy generation plan, being implemented by WAPDA on priority basis, to harness the indigenous hydropower resource of the country.
Tarbela fourth extension hydropower project includes installation of two units, 480MW each, with a total capacity of 960MW at Tarbela Dam on existing tunnel-4, being used for irrigation releases, while the dam, intake and tunnel already exists. Only construction of power house, penstock, extension of the switchyard, installation of electrical and mechanical equipments are to be materialised for the project to generate the quantum of electricity almost equivalent to the Mangla power house. WAPDA has planned to implement the project in two phases. Phase-I relates to the detailed engineering design etc., while Phase-II pertains to construction of the project. Currently, a joint venture of two renowned European firms i.e. Mott MacDonald of UK and Coyne Et Billier of France are busy in preparation of a detailed engineering design, tender documents and PC-1.
Finances for Phase-I amounting to $5.5 million have already been arranged under the Water Sector Capacity Building and Advisory Services Project (WCAP) of the World Bank. The World Bank is also keen to finance civil works during the construction phase.
