AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Lahore, January 29, 2013 (PPI-OT): With a view to meeting the ever -increasing needs of electricity and water in the country, the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is going to start construction work on three more projects in couple of months, as all pre-requisites for initiation of these projects are almost complete.
With cumulative generation capacity of about 1540 megawatt (MW) and gross water storage capacity of 250,000 acre feet, these projects include two hydropower projects namely Tarbela 4 th Extension and Keyal Khwar, and one medium-sized dam i.e. Naulong.
The projects are part of WAPDA’s least cost energy generation and water storage plan, under which 26 pro jects of more than 21,000 MW power generation and 13 MAF water storage capacity are in various phases of their implementation.
The 1410 MW -Tarbela 4 th Extension Project is being undertaken as the 4th extension of Tarbela Hydel Power Station. Three gene rating units – 470 MW each will be installed to raise the capacity of Tarbela Power Station from 3478 to 4888 MW. Annual energy contribution of Tarbela 4th Extension Project has been estimated at 3480 million units and annual benefits at Rs.30 billion. The World Bank is providing US$ 840 million for construction of the project.
Keyal Khwar Hydropower Project is located on Keyal Khwar, a right tributary of River Indus in Dasu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Power generation capacity of the projec t is 122 MW with annual energy contribution of about 426 million units of low -cost electricity to the National Grid with estimated annual benefits of about Rs. 3.5 billion.
Naulong Dam is located on Mula River in Jhal Magsi district of Balochistan province. The project, with a water storage capacity of nearly 250,000 acre feet, will irrigate 47,000 acres of land. In addition, 4.4 MW electricity will also be generated. Benefits of the project have been calculated more than Rs.2 .5 billion per annum.
It is pertinent to mention that WAPDA has already started construction work on Golen Gol Hydropower Project and Nai Gaj Dam. The 106 MW -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. On completion, the project will generate about 436 million units of electricity annually.
Likewise, Nai Gaj Dam Project is being constructed across Gaj River in Dadu district of Sindh province . The 194 feet high da m will store 300,000 acre feet of water to irrigate about 40,000 acres of land. Besides, the project will also generate 4.2 MW electricity. Annual benefits of the project have been estimated about Rs.3.5 billion.
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