ISLAMABAD: Since its commissioning in 2018, the Tarbela 4th Extension Project has added 22.56 billion low-cost hydel units to the national grid system, according to official sources.
The 1410 MW-Tarbela 4th Extension Hydel Power Station, completed in 2018 with World Bank assistance, has significantly increased Tarbela’s overall hydel generation capacity.
Before the commissioning of the 4th Extension project, Tarbela’s power house had a total capacity of 3,478 MW. The addition of three turbines, each with a capacity of 470 MW, at Tunnel 4 of the Tarbela Dam marked a substantial increase in the power generation capabilities.
Currently, the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) is actively working on the Tarbela 5th Extension Project, also funded by the World Bank. This ongoing project, set up at Tunnel 5 of the Tarbela Dam, is expected to add 1530 MW to the existing 4,888 MW. The completion of the 5th Extension Project is slated for 2025, at which point the total hydel generation capacity of Tarbela’s power house will jump to an impressive 6418 MW.
The Tarbela 4th and 5th Extension Projects play a crucial role in contributing to Pakistan’s energy sector by enhancing the country’s hydropower capacity, ensuring a more reliable and sustainable power supply.
