Golen Gol Hydropower project bidding: Wapda to save Rs 84 million

M RAFIQUE GORAYA

LAHORE: Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) will save about Rs 84 million in procurement of electro-mechanical equipment for the 106MW Golen Gol Hydropower project by awarding the contract to the lowest technical responsive bidder.

This was stated by Wapda Chairman Shakil Durrani in a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Power, presided over by Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman said that Wapda Authority had already recommended the bid in the wake of its evaluation as per rules by the offices concerned. The matter has been sent to the donor agency for approval, while the contract will formally be awarded after approval of the donor agency, he said.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Water and Power directed Wapda to intimate them once the approval was granted by the donor agency.

Earlier, Wapda Member (Water) Syed Raghib Abbas Shah apprised the Committee on the process relating to procurement and evaluation of bids in Wapda.

It is pertinent to mention that Golen Gol Hydropower Project is being constructed on the River Golen Gol, a major tributary of the River Mastuj in Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province about 380 kilometres from Islamabad. On its completion, Golen Gol Hydropower Project will generate about 436 million units of electricity (Gwh) to earn revenue of about Rs 3.7 billion annually.

Responding to a question, Wapda Chairman said that Wapda was implementing 18 projects under its least-cost energy generation plan to increase the ratio of hydel electricity in the National Grid, and help stabilise electricity tariff in the country. Under the plan, the 969 MW-Neelum Jhelum, 4500 MW-Diamer Basha Dam, 1410 MW-Tarbela 4th Extension, 740-MW Multipurpose Munda Dam and 84MW-Kurram Tangi Dam are under implementation to name a few, he added.