The European development banks have recently approved a cumulative loan of euro 130 million to finance the second rehabilitation project of Warsak Dam and hydroelectric power station being operated by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).
The European development banks have recently approved a cumulative loan of euro 130 million to finance the second rehabilitation project of Warsak Dam and hydroelectric power station being operated by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).
On September 22, Pakistan and France signed the credit facility agreement for AFD (the French Agency for Development) providing euro 40 million, while German Development Bank (KfW) has concluded, on September 16, a loan agreement of additional euro 40 million for the project. On the other hand, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide euro 50 million for financing the vital energy project.
In addition, EU Grant of euro 4.50 million will be available under the Asia Investment Facility, through AFD as the lead financier for the project, for community development around the project area and climate change mitigation. For the purpose, a grant financing agreement was signed at Islamabad on September 22.
Earlier, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the second rehabilitation project of Warsak Dam, located on River Kabul near Peshawar, at a total cost of Rs23,366 million, including foreign exchange component of Rs12,182 million. On completion of the project, which is scheduled within seven years, the installed capacity of the powerhouse will be restored from the existing derated capacity of 180MW to its original designed capacity of 243MW, enabling to generate 1,236GWh annually.
Warsak Dam, the first medium/large hydropower multi-purpose project, was constructed during 1952-60 having installed four turbo-generator units of 40MW each, related equipment, and a 132kv transmission system. In fact, it has been the precursor of developing large hydropower stations at Mangla (1968) and Tarbela (1977), and supporting capacity-building and skill development of Wapda for the construction and operation of future hydropower projects. Later, during 1980-81, expansion of the power station was carried out, and two additional units of 41.48MW capacity each were commissioned at Warsak, resulting in 243MW total installed capacity of the powerhouse.
Warsak power station has been operating largely trouble-free, as a result of professional competency of Wapda engineers and technicians, and valuable technical support extended by the Canadians, despite a number of problems faced since the early days.
One of the major problems is the excessive quantity and abrasive nature of the silt carried by the river water. Operations of the turbo-generating units during the monsoon season with river water, which is laden with silt containing quartz, causes rapid erosion in the hydraulic and hydro-mechanical equipment, which results in severe and chronic O&M problems.
The first rehabilitation project of Warsak Dam was implemented during 1996-2006, with the Canadian economic and technical assistance, for the stability of dam civil structure, and refurbishment of turbines and allied equipment, which had resulted in improving the then 150MW derated operating capacity to 220MW.
This however did not prove to be a long-term solution to the problems faced at Warsak Dam, and the remedial measures like regular repairing and rebuilding the worn equipment and replacement of turbine components were adapted as a regular feature. The power station still remains vulnerable to frequent breakdowns due to ageing and obsolesce of the powerhouse machinery.
Thus, the installed capacity of the power station has reduced significantly, derated to 210MW, which has necessitated major rehabilitation, modernization, and upgrade.
There is structural deformation of the powerhouse due to high sediment concentration of river water, which results in concrete deformation in the powerhouse building and spillway. Consultancy services for establishing a sustainable sediment management concept for the dam and reservoir and other related activities are being acquired as a major component of the rehabilitation project. The study, to be completed by 2017, will carry out investigations of present conditions of sedimentation in the light of the previous studies; propose adoption of latest methods and techniques to solve the problem.
To ensuring optimisation of reliable operation, the rehabilitation project aims at replacement of four generators, electrical components of four units, all transformers, control and instrumentation etc, and new SCADA system, replacement of all six runners with erosion-resistant special coating, besides civil works, based on latest technological advancements globally.
Rehabilitation and up-gradation will improve the reliability and availability of this power station for the next 40 years, besides providing safe, reliable and cost-effective energy generation.
Wapda’s foreign consultants have already prepared detailed design and engineering and tender documents, and strategy of implementing the project on fast track has been worked out. Tenders for different packages covering machinery, equipment, civil works and services are scheduled for issuance early next year.
Implementation and monitoring of the Warsak rehabilitation project, ensuring its completion in given time-schedule and within the approved cost, is of paramount importance in the wake of Pakistan facing energy crisis. However, it may be wishful thinking if progress on implementation of the on-going energy and infrastructure projects is any indication. Sadly, the Planning Commission, which is mandated to monitor and evaluate the implementation of major development projects and programmes, of late, has become a toothless organisation. It has failed to effectively monitor the strategic projects like Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower , Lowari Tunnel, and New Islamabad International Airport, to name only a few, as these public projects have suffered inordinate delays and enormous cost overruns.
The writer is Chairman of Institution of Engineers, Pakistan
