United States Ambassador Richard Olson, on a visit to Mangla Dam on Wednesday, pledged up to $150 million in order to replace the worn out turbines with new, custom-built turbines that will help increase total output from 1000 to 1210 megawatts.
“These upgrades will also allow the power plant to operate efficiently for another 40 years,” stated a statement issued by the US embassy. The ambassador reminded that the US helped Pakistan build Mangla dam in the first place.
“Now, nearly 50 years later, the United States is helping to repair the dam in order to make sure that it continues to produce the energy this country needs,” he added.
“Our commitment to help repair Mangla Dam today builds upon the efforts which began in the 1960’s. The United States was then, as it is now, committed to working with the Government of Pakistan on large-scale energy projects that will help the people of Pakistan live secure and prosperous lives,” he said.
The up-gradation of Mangla Dam power station is just one of the many programmes in which US is assisting Pakistan.
They include the renovation of the power plant at the Tarbela Dam, upgradation of the Guddu, Jamshoro, and Muzafaragarh power plants, and completion of the construction of Satpara and Gomal Zam dams.
The United States is also providing support and expertise to the Ministry of Water and Power and to Pakistan’s nine power distribution companies, in order to help them reduce energy transmission losses, increase revenues, and improve the overall management of the energy system to bring long-term sustainability to Pakistan’s energy sector.
