ISLAMABAD: As much as 91.88 per cent work has been completed on the Tarbela Fourth Extension Power Project so far and its first unit of 470 MW will start generation from February 25, 2018.
Talking to APP, Tarbela Fourth Extension Power Project Director Sohail Khan said, “Overall physical work on the project is 91.88 per cent complete so far.” Dry testing would be conducted on January 25 while wet testing would start on January 26, he said.
He said that the second unit of 470 MW would start generation by April 25, followed by the third unit of 470 MW from May 30. He added that the project would cost $920 million, which would generate additional 1,410 MWs cheaper hydel electricity.
Sohail Khan said the World Bank had provided $840 million for the project while Water and Power Development Authority arranged the remaining $80 million.
He said that three units of 470 MW each were being installed at the powerhouse which would enhance the total electricity generation to 4,888 MW from the existing 3,478 MW.
Dilating upon the benefits of the project, he said that the project having three units of 470 MW each would produce 3,840GWh of cheap hydropower at a time when electricity needs would be at peak in hot and humid weather.
Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at around Rs30.7 billion. The project will pay back its cost in just three years, he added.
