LAHORE: Following the signing of an agreement with government of Pakistan for providing 840 million dollars for 1410MW Tarbela 4th Extension Project, the World Bank has also agreed to provide financial assistance for 4320MW Dasu Hydropower Project. It has also been agreed that the project will be constructed in phases after the 4500MW Diamer Basha Dam Project is initiated and financial plan finalised.
This was stated by Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Shakil Durrani while presiding over a meeting here at Wapda House to discuss the report submitted by the International Panel of Experts. Wapda Member (Water), Secretary Wapda and General Managers concerned attended the meeting. Addressing the meeting, the Chairman said the International Financial Institutions were taken keen interest in providing funds for Wapda projects due to excellent Economic Internal Rate of Returns (EIRR) of those schemes.
Dasu Hydropower Project is a part of least-cost energy generation plan, being executed by Wapda to harness indigenous hydropower resource of the country with a view to improve the ratio of hydel electricity in the national grid. The project is proposed to be constructed on the River Indus, seven kilometres upstream of Dasu village and 74 kilometres downstream of Diamer-Basha Dam Project. Site of the project is situated at Karakoram Highway, about 350 kilometres away from Islamabad.
Wapda priority is to construct Diamer Basha Dam for which land acquisition has already started and 13 contracts for offices, colonies and roads awarded. Dasu Hydropower Project would follow the initiation of Diamer Basha Dam Project. Detailed engineering design, PC-I and tender documents of the project are likely to be completed in early 2013. Afterwards, the construction work on the project will commence. The World Bank is providing funds for preparation of detailed engineering design. On completion, the project will generate 21.3 billion units of electricity per annum. Completion of the project will also have positive impact on the existing hydel power stations including Tarbela, Ghazi Barotha and Chashma.
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