ISLAMABAD The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has awarded a contract worth $354.6 million for civil works of the 1530 MW-Tarbela 5th extension hydropower project to Power Construction Corporation of China Limited (PCCCL) through an international competitive bidding.
The contract signing ceremony was held on Thursday at Wapda Mega Hydel Complex and signed by project director Muhammad Azam Joya and PCCCL executive representative in Pakistan Ling Jianke.
WAPDA chairman Lt-Gen Muzammil Hussain (retd), World Bank country director Najy Benhassine, World Bank Task Team leader Dr Rickard Liden, WAPDA members, general managers and representatives of the consultants were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, WAPDA chairman said in its endeavor to enhance water storage capacity and share of cheap and clean hydel power generation in the national grid, the authority is constructing as many as 10 projects including Tarbela 5th Extension.
He said the timely completion of these projects is important for the purpose. He underlined the benefits of the project for economic development and social uplift, an expressed confidence to complete it with the stipulated timelines
Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project is being constructed on Tunnel No 5 of Tarbela Dam with approved PC-I of $807 million.
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), World Bank is providing $390 million, while Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will provide $300 million. The cumulative generation capacity of the project stands at 1530 MW with three generating units of 510 MW each.
The contract involves modification of tunnel-5, raised intake, power house, tailrace works including channel and culverts and penstocks.
The project will be fully completed in 37 months with first unit coming into production by end-May 2024, followed by second unit by end-June and third unit by end-July 2024.
