At least 67 per cent work on the Tarbela 4th Extension Power Project has been completed so far and its unit would start supplying power generation by August 2017.
Official sources on Monday said that the up gradation of the switchyard was scheduled to be completed in May 2017, which would enable Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to disperse electricity from Tarbela Hydel Power Station to the national grid after completion of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project.
They said the project would cost $ 920 million and 1,410 Megawatts (MW) additional hydel electricity would be generated. Earlier, the project was scheduled to be completed in 2018 but on the directives of the prime minister, work has been expedited on the project.
The World Bank was providing $ 840 million for the project while WAPDA arranged the remaining $ 80 million.
Three units of 370 MW each would be installed at the power house which would enhance the total electricity generation to 4,888 MW from the existing 3,478 MW.
Dilating upon the benefits of the project, they said that the project having three units of 370 MW each would produce 3,840 Gigawatt-hours 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 Rs 30.7 billion. The project will pay back its cost in just three years, the sources said.
