With a capacity of 1,530 megawatts, construction is underway on Tunnel No. 5 — accompanied by the WAPDA Chairman during the visit.
Islamabad: Electricity generation from the Tarbela Dam 5th Extension Project is expected to begin next year. The total installed capacity of the project is 1,530 megawatts. Once completed, it will supply the national grid with an average of 1.347 billion units of low-cost hydropower annually.
The extension is being constructed on Tunnel No. 5 of the Tarbela Dam. For its construction, the World Bank is providing $390 million, while the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is contributing $300 million.
Federal Minister for Water Resources Moeen Ahmad Wattoo, along with WAPDA Chairman Naveed Asghar Chaudhry and other officials, visited the TS-5 project site. Speaking to the media, Minister Wattoo stated that the Tarbela 5th Extension Project will be completed by 2026.
He added that the project will not only provide cheap electricity but also help reduce load shedding and address water shortages.
On the occasion, WAPDA Chairman Naveed Asghar Chaudhry said the project would be completed soon. However, the cost per unit of electricity might be higher than the initial estimates due to fluctuations in international currency exchange rates.
