Mangla power project to increase generation

WAPDA has undertaken refurbishment of the hydropower project

LAHORE: Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has undertaken the Mangla Dam refurbishment project, which will increase the generation capacity of the Mangla hydel power station from 1,000 megawatts to 1,310MW.

This was stated in a briefing to Wapda Chairman Zafar Mahmood during his visit to the Mangla Dam. He conducted a comprehensive inspection of the spillway, the dam and the power station.

Speaking on the occasion, Mahmood said there was a dire need to inject more hydroelectric power into the energy mix, which would mitigate electricity shortages and pull down power tariff. “Therefore, it is imperative that the project is completed within the stipulated time,” he added.

Referring to the high water level in Mangla lake, Mahmood directed the authorities to proceed with caution and strictly adhere to the protocol while filling the reservoir.

Earlier, the Mangla Dam general manager said the dam had been filled to its capacity and would provide about three million acre feet of additional water for irrigation in addition to generating an extra 620 million units of low-cost electricity.

The refurbishment project will be completed in three phases and cost over Rs52 billion. Upon completion, the power station’s capacity will increase by 310MW.

The Mangla Dam comprised four power generation units of 100MW each when it was constructed in 1967. In 1974, two units were added followed by another two in 1981. The standing capacity of 1,000MW was realised in 1994 when two more units were installed.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th,  2015.

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