Tarbela delivers $460bn benefits

LAHORE: The Water. Power Development Authority (Wapda) said on Monday that Tarbela Dam had released more than 419 million acre-feet of stored water for irrigation and added 586 billion units of clean, low-cost electricity to the national grid over the past 50 years.

The information was shared during a briefing to Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed during his visit to the Tarbela Dam. Khanpur Dam fourth and fifth extension projects.

Officials said the dam had provided economic benefits worth $460 billion to Pakistan since 1974.

During the day-long visit, the Wapda chairman reviewed progress on the under-construction Tarbela Fifth Extension Hydropower Project. witnessed the testing and commissioning of the low-level outlet of the Tarbela Fourth Extension Hydr­opower Project.

Indus River System Authority Chairman Amjad Saeed, members of Irsa’s technical committee,. Wapda’s members for water and power accompanied him.

At the fifth extension project, the chairman was briefed on progress across the intake structure, connecting tunnel, penstock. low-level outlet, powerhouse, tailrace culvert, tailrace canal and switchyard.

Officials said concerted efforts were und­erway to meet timelines for each component. The chairman appreciated the work. directed the project team, consultants and contractors to expedite execution while maintaining quality and safety standards.

The fifth extension project has an installed capacity of 1,530MW. The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing $390 million and $300m respectively for its construction. Once completed, Tarbela’s total installed capacity will rise from 4,888MW to 6,418MW.

Earlier, at the fourth extension project, the chairman witnessed testing. commissioning of the low-level outlet to ensure it could meet Irsa’s water release requirements for the kharif season.

Officials briefed him that the project, completed with World Bank assistance, began electricity generation in March 2018. had so far supplied 33.254bn units to the national grid.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2026