The United States of America (US) will provide $150 million to the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) for up-gradation of the Mangla Power House. This announcement was made by the US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson during his visit to Mangla Dam and the Power House.
"The US Government assistance helped build Mangla Dam" Ambassador Olson told the media. "Now, nearly 50 years later, the US is helping to repair Mangla Power House to make sure it continues to produce the energy this country needs." He added "Our commitment to help repair the Mangla Power House today builds upon efforts begun in the 1960s. The US was then, as it is now, committed to working with the Government of Pakistan on large-scale energy projects that help the people of Pakistan live secure and prosperous lives." This project to upgrade the Mangla Power House is just one element of a comprehensive US energy assistance programme in Pakistan, which includes renovating the power plant at Tarbela, up-grading the Guddu, Jamshoro and Muzaffar Garh power plants, and completing the construction of the Satpara and Gomal Zam Dam.
WAPDA Chairman Raghib Shah said that WAPDA had initiated up-gradation project of Mangla Power House to enhance its generation capacity to 1310 mega watt (MW) from the existing 1000 MW. This up-gradation was a part of the two-pronged strategy aimed at optimal utilisation of indigenous hydropower resources. In addition to constructing new projects, WAPDA was also rehabilitating and up-grading its aging power houses under the strategy, he further said.
Earlier, WAPDA Chairman referring to the support provided by the US in implementation of various WAPDA projects, said that WAPDA highly valued this assistance. He said that the commencement of Mangla Power House up-gradation was yet another milestone in US-Pakistan co-operation for the development of the energy sector. He expressed the hope that this co-operation would be further enhanced in the days to come.
The US ambassador also stated that the Mangla Dam- the first-ever mega multi-purpose project in Pakistan, comprising water storage and four power generating units of 100 MW each - was completed in 1967 with the financial assistance of friendly countries, including the US. Subsequently, units 5 and 6 were installed at the powerhouse in 1974 and units 7and 8 in 1981.
The Mangla Power House attained its maximum capacity ie 1000 MW in 1994 with the addition of units 9 and 10. Since its commissioning, the power house has contributed more than 200 billion units of low-cost electricity to the National Grid. The factor of depreciation with age of the generating equipment and the availability of additional water due to the raised Mangla Dam has made the refurbishment and up-gradation of the Mangla Power House necessary, which is currently underway and would be completed in phases with an estimated cost of $400 million, the Ambassador was informed. The US Ambassador and WAPDA Chairman also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the US's financial support for the up-gradation of the Mangla Power House.