WB to provide $ 850mn for Tarbela 4th extension project

MIRPUR: The World Bank will provide about US $ 850 millions for Tarbela 4th Extension Project.

Official sources told APP that the project is expected to be completed within four years which will generate 1410 MW electricity. After completion of extension project, the generation capacity of Tarbela Power Station will rise to the tune of 4888 MW.

WAPDA Member (Water) Syed Raghib Abbas Shah said while addressing a delegation of Pakistan Navy War College here at WAPDA House. WAPDA Member (Power) Muhammad Qasim Khan, Managing Director (Administration) Naveed Akram Cheema, Secretary Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar and other officers concerned were also present there.

The Member (Water) said that in view of the increasing needs of water and power in the country, WAPDA is implementing a number of projects in the two sectors.

"Diamer Basha Dam (with gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre feet and power generation capacity of 4500 MW), Bunji (7100 MW) and Dasu (4320 MW) hydropower projects, Munda Dam multipurpose project (gross water storage capacity 1.29 MAF and power generation capacity 740 MW) and Kurram Tangi Dam (gross water storage capacity 1.2 MAF and power generation capacity 84 MW) are to name a few", he said.

Syed Raghib Abbas said that three projects with cumulative generation capacity of 350 MW will be completed this year, while 969-MW Neelum Jhelum and 106-MW Golen Gol hydropower projects are scheduled to be completed in 2016.

Responding to a question, he said that the government is simultaneously implementing short, medium and long-term strategy to control floods.

Earlier, WAPDA General Manager (Hydro) Planning Hasnain Afzal, briefing the delegation said that 20 million acres of land could be developed for agriculture provided water is made available by constructing new dams.

He also informed the delegation about WAPDA's achievements, future projects, and new initiatives.

PEPCO General Manager (Coordination & Monitoring) Zia-ur-Rehman briefed the delegation about electricity demand and supply scenario, national power sector energy plan and issues related to electricity tariff.

Later, Member (Water) and delegation head Commander Usman Tariq exchanged souvenirs as memento to the visit.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2012