Teams directed to expedite work on hydropower projects

PESHAWAR: Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Lt-General (Retired) Sajjad Ghani on Monday directed the project teams to accelerate work on the Diamer-Basha and Dasu hydropower projects to meet the timelines

A press release said that electricity generation from Dasu Hydropower Project was scheduled to be completed in 2026, whereas Diamer-Basha Dam Project was fixed for completion in 2028.

The chairman reached the Diamer-Bhasha Dam and reviewed construction work on the left and right abutments of the dam, diversion canal, guide wall, upstream and downstream coffer (temporary) dams and permanent bridge.

The chief executive officer of the Diamer-Basha Dam Company, consultants and contractors were present. Construction activities are being carried out on 13 key sites of the project. The permanent bridge along with the approach road downstream of the main dam will be completed in June this year. Later, the chairman visited Dasu Hydropower Project and witnessed construction activities at under-ground powerhouse and transformer cavern, left abutment and upstream coffer (temporary) dam.

He was briefed that construction work was simultaneously continuing on 13 sites, including excavation and support work at the powerhouse, transformer cavern as well as left and right abutments of the dam. He was told that excavation was in progress on open areas and five tunnels.

The Diamer-Basha Dam, on its completion, will store 8.1 MAF water to irrigate 1.23 million acres of land and generate 4500 megawatts of electricity, providing 18 billion units of green, clean and low-cost electricity to the national grid every year. The 4320 megawatts Dasu Hydropower Project is to be completed in two stages. The Stage 1, with an installed generation capacity of 2160 megawatts, will contribute 12 billion units of economically affordable electricity to the national grid per annum.