Business News

ISLAMABAD, May 1 (APP): As many as 57 per cent work has been
completed on the Tarbela 4th Extension Power Project so far and its
unit 17 would start supplying power generation by June 2017.
Talking to APP, Project Director Tarbela 4th Extension Power
Project Shoail Khan said that the upgradation of the Switchyard was
scheduled to be completed on May 17, which would enable WAPDA to
disperse electricity from Tarbela Hydel Power Station to the
National Grid after completion of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower
Project.
He said the project would cost $ 920 million and additional
1410 MW cheaper hydel electricity would be generated.
He said that 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 and now it would be ready by June 2017.
Sohail Khan said that the World Bank was providing $ 840 million
for the project while Water and Power Development Authority arranged
the remaining $ 80 million.
He said that three units of 370 MW each would be installed at
the power house which would enhance the total electricity generation
to 4888 MW from the existing 3478 MW.
Dilating upon the benefits of the project, he said that the
project having three units of 370MW each would produce 3,840 GWh 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
Rs30.7 billion. The project will pay back its cost in just three
years.
It is pertinent to mention that early completion of the
project in accordance with the accelerated construction plan will
help WAPDA make use of high water flow season of the year 2017 for
power generation from the project to add large quantum of low-cost
electricity to the National Grid.