DM Monitoring
TARBELA: Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday performed the groundbreaking of US $ 807 million Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5), under the government’s ‘Decade of Dams 2018-28’ vision.
The World Bank (WB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) are providing US $ 390 million and US $ 300 million, respectively, for the Project to be completed by 2024.
The Prime Minister on the occasion was given a detailed briefing on the project by Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt. Gen. (R) Muzamil Hussain. PM said it was important for Dasu and Diamer-Bhasha dams to be completed on time because silt flowing towards the dams will get slower and it will prolong these dams’ operational capacity. “We have decided to build 10 dams in 10 years including Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams and these constructions will help water storage.”
He said the construction of several dams had started and Mohmand dam will be completed by 2025 while Diamer-Bhasha dam was expected to be ready by 2028.
The PM reiterated that global warming was a crucial issue faced by the world at the moment, noting that a top scientist had released a report indicating rapid increase in world temperature.
Countries like Turkey, Greece, Russia and Italy are witnessing fires unlike any seen before, the premier added. He said Jacobabad was declared the hottest city in the world, and in this worrying scenario, “it’s the need of the hour that we generate electricity which should not exacerbate global warming.”
During the briefing, it was informed that the T-5 Hydropower Project will enhance the life of Tarbela Dam by addressing the issue of sedimentation and ensuring sustainable irrigation releases. The Prime Minister was told that the project will generate another 1530 MW of low cost and environmental friendly electricity. With completion of T-5, installed capacity of Tarbela Dam will increase from 4888 MW to 6418 MW.
The Prime Minister was informed that T-5 will provide 1.347 billion units of low-cost and green energy to the National Grid on the average every year. The Project will also generate around 3000 employment opportunities during the construction phase, it was told.
