ISLAMABAD: The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Zafar Mahmood Friday visited Warsak Dam and Hydel Power Station located in Khyber and Mohmand agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
During the visit, the Chairman reviewed the matters relating to rehabilitation of Warsak Hydel Power Station, said a press release.
It is worth mentioning that WAPDA is executing Second Rehabilitation Project of Warsak Hydel Power Station to regain its generation capacity, which has decreased to 193 MW from 243 MW due to aging factor of the electro-mechanical equipment.
The rehabilitation works are planned to be carried out with an approved PC-I cost of Rs. 22.25 billion with the objective to overcome the aging problems, regain the capacity loss of 50 MW with reliable annual energy generation of 1.14 billion units, upgrade and modernize the old system and achieve another life cycle of 30 to 40 years.
German financial institution KfW and French Development Agency (AFD) are providing loan to the tune of 40 million euros each, while European Investment Bank (EIB) is giving 50 million euros for Second Rehabilitation Project of Warsak Hydel Power Station.
Hiring of consultants for engineering support and construction supervisions is in progress. During his visit, the Chairman was briefed by the project authorities about the progress achieved so far on the project. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that on the direction of the Federal Government, WAPDA has been vigorously implementing a least-cost energy generation plan to add low-priced hydel electricity to the system to overcome electricity shortages in the country.
This plan aims at optimal utilization of the indigenous hydropower resources. In addition to constructing new projects, WAPDA has also been rehabilitating and up-grading its aging hydel power stations, including the Warsak, under the plan.
It is pertinent to mention that Warsak is the first ever main hydropower project executed in Pakistan after independence.
The project was financed by the Canadian Government under Colombo plan.
The first phase of the Warsak Dam and Hydel Power Station was completed in 1960-61 consisting of the dam, irrigation tunnels, four generating units with cumulative capacity of 160 MW, switchyard and transmission line.
With completion of the first phase, power generation capacity of the country became more than double from 152 MW to 312 MW, boosting the economy of the newly-born Pakistan in addition to social uplift of the country.
In the second phase, two more generating units of about 83 MW were added in 1980-81 to raise the installed capacity of the hydel power station to 243 MW. First rehabilitation was carried out during 1996-2006 to stabilize civil structure and recover lost generation of about 70 MW.
Subsequent to his visit to Warsak Dam, WAPDA Chairman also witnessed construction work at the 1410-MW Tarbela 4th? Extension Hydropower Project during his weekly visit to Tarbela Dam. General Manger (Tarbela Dam Project) apprised him of the progress on the project.
Member Power Badr-ul-Munir Murtiza was also present on the occasion.
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