WAPDA to Build Five Dams in Gilgit-Baltistan, Adding 13,940 MW to Pakistan’s Power Grid
— October 28, 2024
GILGIT (AIA) Nizakat Hussain, Project Director of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, announced that WAPDA is set to construct five small dams in Gilgit-Baltistan with a combined capacity of 13,940 MW. Speaking at the Diamer-Bhasha Dam site, Hussain detailed the planned dams—Shevik, Skardu Sho, Thargos, Elbo, and Bunji—stating they will supply vital electricity to the country, boost industrial development, and improve food security.
According to Hussain, the construction will begin soon, with Bunji Dam expected to be the largest power contributor at 7,100 MW, while Shevik will be the smallest at 4,600 MW. The new dams are also projected to extend the operational lifespans of Diamer-Bhasha, Dasu, and Tarbela dams by enhancing their capacities and minimising sedimentation, thus preserving these essential structures.
Hussain noted that the Diamer-Bhasha Dam, with 70% of its construction completed, is on track to finish by 2029. Designed to store up to ten days of water flow, it will help alleviate water scarcity in the Tarbela Dam during winter. The dam’s structure will also control flood damage by regulating water flow during high floods. Hundreds of Chinese workers are contributing to the dam’s construction, which is expected to last for 80 years, potentially extending even further with the support of smaller dams in Gilgit-Baltistan.