Tarbela extension project: Second unit resumes power production

Generates 300MW; third unit to start production by month-end

LAHORE: The second unit of Tarbela 4th extension project resumed power production as engineers of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) managed to lift draft tube gates of the unit.

The second unit is generating 300 megawatts of electricity, which is being contributed to the national grid.

The first unit of the project restarted power generation last week following concerted efforts of Wapda engineers to lift the draft tube gates, which were earlier stuck due to silt following unprecedented slide in water reserves to the dead level and technical issues with the valves.

The first unit is generating power up to its maximum capacity of 470MW.

Thus, both the units of the Tarbela 4th extension project are cumulatively providing 770MW to the system. Side by side, various tests are also being conducted because they are still in defect liability period.

Third unit of the project is also complete and is expected to start power generation by the end of this month.

The Tarbela 4th extension project has been constructed on tunnel four of the Tarbela dam. The project has three generating units of 470MW each with total installed capacity of 1,410MW.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2018.

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