The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) spokesperson has clarified a news item titled "Tarbela extension: Wapda procuring no-approved equipment?" carried by Business Recorder on February 9. The spokesperson has said that all approved equipment is being procured for Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project according to specifications laid down in the bidding documents after fulfilling the procedural requirements.
Voith-Hydro International is supplying On Load Tape Changers (OLTCs) included in the approved list of manufacturers vis-à-vis specifications of the bidding documents and contract agreement for Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project. He further said the equipment being procured is already installed at different stations in Pakistan and functioning without any complaints. Voith-Hydro offered the OLTCs of Huaming, China as per contract agreement. The consultants have accordingly assessed the equipment as per international standards and approved the same. Additional cost is not implicated.
The spokesperson further said Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project is being undertaken on fast-track basis, envisaging electricity generation during high-flow season of the year 2017.