World Bank Delegation Visits Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project
— April 10, 2025
ISLAMABAD (AIA) A three-member World Bank delegation, headed by Regional Director for Infrastructure in South Asia, Pankaj Gupta, visited the under-construction 1,530 MW Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project.
According to a press release, the delegation toured several key construction sites and observed ongoing work at the raised intake, tunnel, penstock, and powerhouse.
Welcoming the delegation, Chairman WAPDA Engr Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani (Retd) expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its continued support in harnessing Pakistan’s vital water and hydropower resources. He said the six-decade-long partnership between the World Bank and WAPDA is expected to grow even stronger in the future.
During an on-site briefing, the GM/Project Director of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project informed the delegation that construction is progressing well across all seven major work fronts.
The delegation was told that excavations at the raised intake shaft, penstock, powerhouse, and switchyard have been completed, while concrete work at the intake, powerhouse, switchyard, tailrace culvert, and canal is ongoing.
The draft tubes for all three generating units have been installed. Installation of penstock pipes and electro-mechanical equipment at the switchyard is also underway. Power generation from the project is expected to begin in 2026.
The Tarbela 5th Extension Project is a key component of WAPDA’s green, clean, and least-cost energy generation plan. The World Bank is providing US$390 million in financial support for the project. Under the extension, three generating units of 510 MW each are being installed at Tunnel No. 5, which will provide an average of 1.347 billion units of hydel electricity annually to the National Grid.
Upon completion, the installed capacity of Tarbela Dam will rise to 6,418 MW.