Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower project now generating 770MW

September 14, 2018: The second unit of the Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project has now resumed operation as WAPDA engineers finally managed to lift the draft tube gates of the unit previously hindering the process.

According to WAPDA, the second unit is generating 300 MW electricity, which is now being contributed to the National Grid.

The first unit of the project restarted power generation last week following the concerted efforts of WAPDA engineers for the lifting of the draft tube gates, which were earlier stuck due to piling of silt because of the unprecedented slide of water levels to the dead level and technical issues with valves on the penstock.

The first unit is generating power to its maximum capacity of 470 MW, as per WAPDA officials.

Thus, both the units of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project are providing a total of 770 MW electricity to the system. Side by side, various tests are also being carried out by them with the project being in the Defect Liability Period (DLP).

According to WAPDA, the third unit of the project is also complete and is expected to start power generation by the end of this month.

Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project has been constructed on Tunnel No. 4 of the Tarbela Dam. The project has three generating units – 470 MW each – with a total installed capacity of 1410 MW.