Water and Power Development Authority awards contract of US$312 million to a consortium for electro-mechanical works of 1410-MW Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project

Lahore, February 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), after approval of the World Bank, today awarded the contract of US $ 312 million to a consortium for electro-mechanical works of the 1410-MW Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project. The consortium comprises of two internationally renowned companies namely Voith Hydro of Germany and Voith Hydro Shanghai of China.

The agreement was signed here at WAPDA House today. Project Director Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project and Chief Executive Officers of the both firms signed the agreement on behalf of WAPDA and the consortium respectively. Chairman WAPDA, Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, Members of the Authority and other senior officers of WAPDA were also present on the occasion.

It is pertinent to mention that the civil works of the project are already underway. The project has been scheduled to be completed in three and a half years at an estimated cost of US $928 million. The World Bank is providing US $ 840 million for the project.

Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project is a part of least-cost electricity generation strategy of the Federal Government being implemented by WAPDA on priority. This strategy reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to add a sizeable quantum of hydel electricity to the national grid, which would help overcome power crisis in the country, and improve the share of low-cost hydel electricity in the overall system besides reducing power tariff and providing relief to the consumers.

Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project will increase the generation capacity of Tarbela Hydel Power Station from 3478 MW to 4888 MW, after installation of three units of 1410 MW on Tunnel No. 4.

On completion, Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project will add about 3.84 billion units of low-cost electricity to the National Grid per annum. Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at about Rs.30.7 billion.

The project will pay back its cost in just three years. It will also be instrumental in saving foreign exchange on import of almost one million ton of furnace oil annually, required for the equivalent generation of electricity from thermal sources. The project will also provide a cushion to undertake rehabilitation and up-gradation of the existing Tarbela Power House during the lean period.

For more information, contact:
Muhammad Abid Rana
Director Public Relations
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
G-32, WAPDA House, Lahore
Tel: +9242 9920 2633 and +9242 9920 2211 -2033 -2029
Cell: +92333 445 8293
Email: mabidrana@gmail.com