Wapda to add 10,000MW,store 10.6MAF water

LAHORE: While re-strategising its priorities for optimal utilisation of water and hydropower resources in the country, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) is implementing as many as eight mega projects on fast track basis with cumulative power generation capacity of more than 10,000 megawatt (MW) and gross water storage capacity of 10.6 million acre feet (MAF).

This was stated by Wapda chairman Muzammil Hussain while speaking at a consultative seminar held at Wapda House on Monday. The purpose of holding this consultative seminar was to have the valuable input from former chairmen to boost the on-going efforts of Wapda for timely completion of the projects, and effective water management and hydroelectric generation.

The seminar, the first-ever of its nature in the history of Wapda, was attended by former chairmen Zahid Ali Akbar, Shams-ul-Mulk, Zulfiqar Ali Khan, Tariq Hamid, Shakil Durrani, Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, and Zafar Mahmood.

Wapda former members namely Asif Kazi, Sardar Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Qasim Khan and Muhammad Shoaib Iqbal also attended the seminar. Wapda’s incumbent members and general managers were also present.

Wapda chairman Muzammil Hussain said once completed, the prioritised projects would go a long way in fulfilling the increasing requirements of water and electricity in the country. He said a three-pronged strategy has been devised in this regard, which includes completion of under-construction projects in the shortest possible time, initiation of construction work on ready-for-construction projects as early as possible, and making Wapda yet again a vibrant organisation.

The strategy has been vigorously pursued for the last seven months. Resultantly, three hydropower projects – Neelum-Jhelum, Tarbela 4th Extension, and Golen Gol, with electricity generation capacity of 2,485MW in total – will be completed from end 2017 to mid 2018, the chairman said.

Phase I of Kachhi Canal will also be completed in parts in August–December 2017 to irrigate 72,000 acres of land. Construction work has also been started on Kurram Tangi Dam Multi-purpose Project last month.

The contractor of Keyal Khwar Hydropower Project has also been mobilised at the site to start construction work on the project. Following the award of main civil works for Dasu Hydropower Project, the construction work on the project will commence next month.

Wapda is making an all out effort to award contracts for Mohmand Dam Multi-purpose Project and Diamer Basha Dam Multi-purpose Project by the end of this year, Muzammil Hussain added.