Warsak power station rehabilitation: Wapda awards Rs 317 million feasibility contract

The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has awarded a contract to a joint venture comprising RSWI of Canada and DCE of Pakistan to carry out feasibility study for 'Rehabilitation, Upgradation and Modernisation' of 243 MW Warsak Hydroelectric Power Station.
The contract also includes preparation of detailed design, tender documents and PC-I of the project. Total cost of the consultancy services agreement is about Rs 317 million, including foreign exchange component of the Canadian dollars 3.343 million. The assignment is scheduled to be completed in one year.
The agreement signing ceremony was held here at Wapda House. Wapda General Manger (Hydel) Development Muhammad Javed Akhtar, RSWI Asia Vice President Claudio Vissa and DCE Managing Director Mujeeb Ahmad signed the agreement on behalf of their organisations. The ceremony was also witnessed by Trade Commissioner, High Commission of Canada, Islamabad, Ahsan-ul-Haq, Wapda Member (Water) Raghib Abbas Shah, Member (Power) Muhammad Qasim Khan, Member (Finance) Nazakat Ali Shah, Wapda Secretary Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar and other Wapda officers concerned.
As part of its least-cost energy generation programme, Wapda plans to carry out rehabilitation, upgradation and modernisation of electrical and mechanical equipment of Warsak Hydroelectric Power Station to ensure its reliable and sustainable operation at the total installed capacity of 243 MW. The electrical and mechanical equipment of the existing units having spent 50 years (Units 1-4) and 30 years (Units 5-6) of their useful life, have deteriorated due to aging effects resulting in reduction of reliability and dependability.
As a first step, feasibility study will be carried out to determine viable solutions and required works for rehabilitation, upgradation and modernisation of old electrical & mechanical equipment, recommend remedial measures to overcome the defects in civil structures and conduct sedimentation management studies. Preparation of detailed design, tender documents and PC-I of Warsak Rehabilitation Project will also be a part of the consultancy services.
It is pertinent to mention that Warsak Hydel Power Station is located on River Kabul at about 30 kilometres in north-west of Peshawar. The project, financed by the Canadian Government, was completed under Colombo Plan in two phases. The first phase, completed in 1960, consisted of construction of dam, irrigation tunnels and installation of four power generating units, each of 40 MW capacity with 132 KV transmission system. Two additional generating units each of 41.48 MW capacity were added in 1980-81 in the second phase. The total installed capacity of the power station thus became nearly 243 MW.