Another $51m to expedite Tarbela project completion

[Edevelop]

TARBELA: With the next general elections in mind, the government has decided to pay $51 million additional cost to Chinese contractors for advancing completion of 1,410MW Tarbela 4th extension project by eight months to June 2017.

Wapda and a consortium of M/s Sinohydro Group of China and Voith Hydro Germany and China signed a formal agreement at the Tarbela Dam on Thursday. The project acceleration programme is estimated to generate $300 million electricity during 2017, according to Wapda Chairman Zafar Mahmood.

Briefing journalists, Tarbela Dam General Manager Iqbal Siddiqui said the acceleration programme had been initiated on the directive of the prime minister.

The original T4 project was estimated to cost $928m, but the project authorities had been able to conclude the project contract at $651m. Since the project cost was much lower than estimates finalised in consultation with the World Bank ($840m), the bank not only approved $51m acceleration programme, but also agreed to divert about $150m, saving another 1,400MW for Tarbela 5th Extension project which is expected to be completed by June 2018.

The existing power house at Tarbela completed in 1974 has the total generation capacity of 3,478MW and it would go up to 4,888MW on completion of T4 in June 2017 and further to about 6,200MW by June 2018.

The T4 project is being constructed at Tunnel 4 of the dam which was originally intended for irrigation, but was later taken up for power generation as country’s electricity demand increased.

The country would get 3,840GWh every year from T4 and it would be available for power supply during peak demand months.

Sedimentation

Mr Siddiqui said that live storage capacity of Terbela reservoir had declined more than 33.5 per cent to 6.434 million acre feet (MAF) against its original capacity of 9.679 MAF because of sedimentation over the past 38 years.

Mr Siddiqui claimed that dredging of silt from the reservoir was almost impossible in view of technical and economic reasons. He said there was an option to flush out the silt through spillways, but it would have damaged Tarbela’s own turbines and also the 1,450MW Ghazi Barotha Hydropower projects downstream.

Another option involved dredging of silt but that was too expensive, estimated at $10-12 billion whereas the total cost of the Tarbela Dam construction was just $2.85bn.

He said the project was originally had a designed life of 30 years, but impressive dam management techniques was resulting in availability of more than 65pc storage capacity even after 38 years.

Tarbela-5

Highlighting the Tarbela-5 (T5) project, Mr Zafar Memhood said that the PC-1 of the project would be approved by Executive Committee of the National Economic Council next month.

The T5 project is meant to generate 1,300MW to 1,400MW after its completion in 2018. The study for the project has been completed with $2.9m financing by the World Bank.

The study allows us to install turbines in Tunnel 5 that will generate electricity up to 1,400MW, lifting the total electricity generation capacity of the Tarbela Dam up to 6,200MW.

“We have conditional offers of euro 300 million for financing the T5 each from Austrian government and M/s Voith Germany if we agree to award them contract,” he said.

Another $51m to expedite Tarbela project completion - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

 

[I FLY HIGH]

And some fanboys of change say what this govt has done ?

 

[Pukhtoon]

I am working in T4 with VOITH Hydro

 

[Imtiaz_Sarwar]

This thread is certainly good news. The capacity of Terbela dam being raised to 6200 MW. At least there is some positive work being done in our country. The next logical step in dam building would have been the Kalabagh dam but due to politics it is not being built. At least Ghazi Barotha is the next best thing. I read some where a few years back that it has already paid for itself and is now generating revenue for the nation. If our nation had kept building dams we would have been surplus in electricity now.

 

[ziaulislam]

And some fanboys of change say what this govt has done ?

Tarbela hydro extension project consists of placing a turbine in a already existing tunnel for projection of power. so basically we are talking of enormous large return rate with no political risks due to highly abused local population being benign, looking at them i know why dams cant be build in Pakistan, i being my self from tarbela area. people havent been compensated for the last 40 years from project that supplied half of Pakistan power. dont you people wonder why govt cant build a dam, be it bhasha dam or kalabagh dam because people look at the examples of tarbela dam abuse.

The very reason why we have already have two more offers on project one from Austria and one from
Germany is due to fact that is ready made high return project. if any one of you wonder why this wasnt implemented before, well one of the reason is maturation special type of bulb design turbines. before the early 2000s the project wouldnt have been possible.

i will still say what the govt has done ? i will still look at parameters that professional people look at, GDP, taxation, foreign investment power reforms and power lossess, health and education
if pakistanis a nation of 200 million people are so dull minded to gauge govt success by 100% foreign funded simple extension of 40 years old hydro project than GOD SAVE US!

let us ignore every thing else from power to petrol crisis, from taxation to health and education ..hurray govt has done enormously good in spending the funds of fully funded project that was financially closed by previously govt.

there is a reason why since 2008 we have been the slowest growing economy in south asia and will be so for the foreseeable future

govt has suceeded in building reserves via IMF and foreign bonds which i will praise and which has helped us to get funding from foreign banks like WB

on the other hand it has miserably failed in taxation resorting to high direct taxation.
it has failed in bringing in power reforms resulting in high power lossess causing a payout/loss of 1 trillion rupees in last 2 years.
i fully understand the power crisis cant be solved in 3-4 years , the issue here is power losses and lack reforms(askhub power that has been waiting to get its tarrif from NEPRA!) that could have been done in couple of years. the govt even turned down 1.3 billion dollars asian bank fund for improving power lossess.

govt needs to work on
1. power lossess and reforms
2. increase in direct taxation
3.. privatization of distribution companies
4. DAMs for storage(not for power like dasu etc)
5. reforms in education and health
6.. infrastruture projects

govt has succeeded in no.6 but has completely failed in others.

so far in power sector i have seen following positives
1. allowing private sector finally to build LNG terminal but still not allowing them for distribution or importing directly
2. making of gaddnai scheme but than scrapping it when it realize the companies will not invest in power distribution network necessary to take power to upstream punjab
3. motor ways scheme includiing hazara motorway
4. potential investment from china

 

[My-Analogous]

I am working in T4 with VOITH Hydro

Please give us clear picture, if you are part of that team.

 

[Kabira]

Tarbela hydro extension project consists of placing a turbine in a already existing tunnel for projection of power. so basically we are talking of enormous large return rate with no political risks due to highly abused local population being benign, looking at them i know why dams cant be build in Pakistan, i being my self from tarbela area. people havent been compensated for the last 40 years from project that supplied half of Pakistan power. dont you people wonder why govt cant build a dam, be it bhasha dam or kalabagh dam because people look at the examples of tarbela dam abuse.

The very reason why we have already have two more offers on project one from Austria and one from
Germany is due to fact that is ready made high return project. if any one of you wonder why this wasnt implemented before, well one of the reason is maturation special type of bulb design turbines. before the early 2000s the project wouldnt have been possible.

i will still say what the govt has done ? i will still look at parameters that professional people look at, GDP, taxation, foreign investment power reforms and power lossess, health and education
if pakistanis a nation of 200 million people are so dull minded to gauge govt success by 100% foreign funded simple extension of 40 years old hydro project than GOD SAVE US!

let us ignore every thing else from power to petrol crisis, from taxation to health and education ..hurray govt has done enormously good in spending the funds of fully funded project that was financially closed by previously govt.

there is a reason why since 2008 we have been the slowest growing economy in south asia and will be so for the foreseeable future

govt has suceeded in building reserves via IMF and foreign bonds which i will praise and which has helped us to get funding from foreign banks like WB

on the other hand it has miserably failed in taxation resorting to high direct taxation.
it has failed in bringing in power reforms resulting in high power lossess causing a payout/loss of 1 trillion rupees in last 2 years.
i fully understand the power crisis cant be solved in 3-4 years , the issue here is power losses and lack reforms(askhub power that has been waiting to get its tarrif from NEPRA!) that could have been done in couple of years. the govt even turned down 1.3 billion dollars asian bank fund for improving power lossess.

govt needs to work on
1. power lossess and reforms
2. increase in indirect taxation
3.. privatization of distribution companies
4. DAMs for storage(not for power like dasu etc)
5. reforms in education and health
6.. infrastruture projects

govt has succeeded in no.6 but has completely failed in others.

so far in power sector i have seen following positives
1. allowing private sector finally to build LNG terminal but still not allowing them for distribution or importing directly
2. making of gaddnai scheme but than scrapping it when it realize the companies will not invest in power distribution network necessary to take power to upstream punjab
3. motor ways scheme includiing hazara motorway
4. potential investment from china

Some times giving credit will not hurt anyone, sometimes country comes first instead of political parties. Credit should be given to N for following things.

1. Neelum dam which should have been completed by now if PPP paid attention, but if not for N then this dam may have been completed by 2020. Now it will be completed by early 2017.

2. Tarbela 4 ext, extra payment to complete it in early 2017.

3. Tarbela 5 should be completed by 2018

These 3 projects will generate around 14 billion units annually, currently Pak generate 31-32 billion units/year with hydro. So in 3 years increase in hydro power will be 45-50% which is unprecedent in Pak history.

4. Many other hydro projects approved but they will be completed in 2020-22, like Karot 740mw or Dasu 2160MW etc. If PPP/PTI wins next election then ad extra 5 years.

5. N approved 101bn for initial phase of Bhasha dam. In 2008 the cost was 60bn and PPP was more in to curruption and Benazir support program. Because of that cost increased to 101bn.

 

[ziaulislam]

problem

Some times giving credit will not hurt anyone, sometimes country comes first instead of political parties. Credit should be given to N for following things.

1. Neelum dam which should have been completed by now if PPP paid attention, but if not for N then this dam may have been completed by 2020. Now it will be completed by early 2017.

2. Tarbela 4 ext, extra payment to complete it in early 2017.

3. Tarbela 5 should be completed by 2018

These 3 projects will generate around 14 billion units annually, currently Pak generate 31-32 billion units/year with hydro. So in 3 years increase in hydro power will be 45-50% which is unprecedent in Pak history.

4. Many other hydro projects approved but they will be completed in 2020-22, like Karot 740mw or Dasu 2160MW etc. If PPP/PTI wins next election then ad extra 5 years.

5. N approved 101bn for initial phase of Bhasha dam. In 2008 the cost was 60bn and PPP was more in to curruption and Benazir support program. Because of that cost increased to 101bn.

problem is that you are bench marking govt performance with PPPP( which has been worse in all history) but that doesnt make PML N performance excellent, may be slightly better in some aspects and worse in other

1. NJ was always a tough project due to lack of financing and its even now so why we want to build it? its due to water rights if we are unable to build it first we lose water rights to india, finances were lost when PPPP refused to go to IMF. i appreciate PML N decision to go for politically unfavorable decision of IMF. PPPP should have credit for building it half without going to IMF. (although PPPP should have gone to IMF)

2. TARBELA would have been completed by any govt, every one is ready to finance such a low hanging project. in reality the credit of 960 million dollars funding for tarbela goes to PPPP, the funding is 300 million in excess for 4th extension. the very reason PML N can expedite it!

3. what other projects have been started in previous 2 years nothing!
what other do we expect in hydro projects? ...nothing except a few private sector projects and may be DASU

remember PPPP also build 600 MW small hydro projects and started work on 1300MW two projects in KPK by private sector. i think PML N will probably achieve only slightly better in that aspect.

it will NOT WORK ON strategically important bhasha dam and munda dam

4. PPPP refused dasu dam finacing from WB for a reason, it was demanding that if it goes with dasu it will not be bale to build bhasha dam. PML N ACCEPTED DASU BUT THERE IS NO FORESIGHT REGARDING bhasha dam

when it comes to reality, the PML N performance is only MARGINALLY better in policy making and so far worse in power sector as compared to PPPP

lastly dont confuse me with PPPP supporter, i am only saying that people wondered why sindh supports PPPP. the answer is obvious! for the same reason why punjab support PML N !

 

[Kabira]

problem

problem is that you are bench marking govt performance with PPPP( which has been worse in all history) but that doesnt make PML N performance excellent, may be slightly better in some aspects and worse in other

1. NJ was always a tough project due to lack of financing and its even now so why we want to build it? its due to water rights if we are unable to build it first we lose water rights to india, finances were lost when PPPP refused to go to IMF. i appreciate PML N decision to go for politically unfavorable decision of IMF. PPPP should have credit for building it half without going to IMF. (although PPPP should have gone to IMF)

2. TARBELA would have been completed by any govt, every one is ready to finance such a low hanging project. in reality the credit of 960 million dollars funding for tarbela goes to PPPP, the funding is 300 million in excess for 4th extension. the very reason PML N can expedite it!

3. what other projects have been started in previous 2 years nothing!
what other do we expect in hydro projects? ...nothing except a few private sector projects and may be DASU

remember PPPP also build 600 MW small hydro projects and started work on 1300MW two projects in KPK by private sector. i think PML N will probably achieve only slightly better in that aspect.

it will NOT WORK ON strategically important bhasha dam and munda dam

4. PPPP refused dasu dam finacing from WB for a reason, it was demanding that if it goes with dasu it will not be bale to build bhasha dam. PML N ACCEPTED DASU BUT THERE IS NO FORESIGHT REGARDING bhasha dam

when it comes to reality, the PML N performance is only MARGINALLY better in policy making and so far worse in power sector as compared to PPPP

lastly dont confuse me with PPPP supporter, i am only saying that people wondered why sindh supports PPPP. the answer is obvious! for the same reason why punjab support PML N !

1. So it was PPP fault to begin with no matter how we look at it. Neelam dam should have been completed by now.

2. Again PPP shenanigans with IMF delayed Tarbela 4 project otherwise it could have been completed by now.

3. Bhasha and Dasu are completly different thing, WB always was clear that it was India who was blocking financing. Now you are bringing another twist. N have already approved 101bn for initial phase of Bhasha Dam. If initial phase is completed then credit should be given to N only. Because i am sure after that any gov in future will make sure to continue work on this dam.

Pakistan awards US$1.4 billion contract for 720-MW Karot hydroelectric project on Jhelum River - HydroWorld

 

[ziaulislam]

1. So it was PPP fault to begin with no matter how we look at it. Neelam dam should have been completed by now.

2. Again PPP shenanigans with IMF delayed Tarbela 4 project otherwise it could have been completed by now.

3. Bhasha and Dasu are completly different thing, WB always was clear that it was India who was blocking financing. Now you are bringing another twist. N have already approved 101bn for initial phase of Bhasha Dam. If initial phase is completed then credit should be given to N only. Because i am sure after that any gov in future will make sure to continue work on this dam.

Pakistan awards US$1.4 billion contract for 720-MW Karot hydroelectric project on Jhelum River - HydroWorld

i dont want to waste my time on PML N jayla, as i will not waste my time on any jayla be it PPPP or PTI or ANP

I only reply to people who see things objectively. which clearly isnt the case seeing your replies. the project new bong was fully build by PPPP govt tenure though i will not give them credit for fully private funded project. rest are not even started other than karot which has got finical closure. again i will not credit govt on some expensive private funded projects look at new bong price its 8.8rs/unit vs govt international funded projects having price tag of 2-3 rs (as tarbela and dasu if built will have)

no matter what the govt does it performance will be gauge only by

1. power losses, efficency and govt DESCOs efficiency and hydro dams esepcially storage dams
2. taxation
3. education and health reforms
4. GDP growth (for last 2 years we have the lowest in south asia and is predicted to be so due to lack of power reforms)

i cannot give a govt credit for losing trillions on above and let private sector build a few MW small dams.
having said PPPP had build more hydro dams than what PML N will achieve (if you exculde tarbela extention, its credit should either go to Mr. ayub of 1960s or PPPP for financial closure)

but again PPPP performance was worse too.
this not vs of PPPP vs PML N. both parties performance has been very poor and very similar

read this its sums it up
Power sector’s receivables rise to Rs556b
now this 556 billion even half of it is enough to build all motorways from lahore to kararchi and finance bhasha and dasu dam. this is just one secotr. i understand its not possible to improve over night but fact is that it is not even STANDSTILL, ITS GETTING WORSE
Power sector’s receivables rise to Rs556bn - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[Kabira]

i dont want to waste my time on PML N jayla, as i will not waste my time on any jayla be it PPPP or PTI or ANP

I only reply to people who see things objectively. which clearly isnt the case seeing your replies. the project new bong was fully build by PPPP govt tenure though i will not give them credit for fully private funded project. rest are not even started other than karot which has got finical closure. again i will not credit govt on some expensive private funded projects look at new bong price its 8.8rs/unit vs govt international funded projects having price tag of 2-3 rs (as tarbela and dasu if built will have)

no matter what the govt does it performance will be gauge only by

1. power losses, efficency and govt DESCOs efficiency and hydro dams esepcially storage dams
2. taxation
3. education and health reforms
4. GDP growth (for last 2 years we have the lowest in south asia and is predicted to be so due to lack of power reforms)

i cannot give a govt credit for losing trillions on above and let private sector build a few MW small dams.
having said PPPP had build more hydro dams than what PML N will achieve (if you exculde tarbela extention, its credit should either go to Mr. ayub of 1960s or PPPP for financial closure)

but again PPPP performance was worse too.
this not vs of PPPP vs PML N. both parties performance has been very poor and very similar

read this its sums it up
Power sector’s receivables rise to Rs556b

Power sector’s receivables rise to Rs556bn - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

Well N got fucked up Pakistan while PPP got Musharaf Pakistan. There are differences, PPP ruined it. I will judge N performance after 2018. Lets see how many projects get completed by then.

 

[ziaulislam]

Well N got fucked up Pakistan while PPP got Musharaf Pakistan. There are differences, PPP ruined it. I will judge N performance after 2018. Lets see how many projects get completed by then.

PML N didnt got **cked up pakistan in 90s.

making things worse doesn't mean you got **cked up pakistan, it means you are **cking it more.

if given a choice i will favor PML N but that doesnt mean there performance is better. its very much similar.

where PPPP forwards its socialist concept focusing on rural projects, PML N tends to be more focused infrastructural based industrial output projects.
thast the reason why in 90s both had similar growth (PML N slightly better) where as PPPP performance was better in services/agriculture and PML N in industrial output.

both ignore taxation of the rich for obvious reasons.

 

[I FLY HIGH]

i dont want to waste my time on PML N jayla, as i will not waste my time on any jayla be it PPPP or PTI or ANP

I only reply to people who see things objectively. which clearly isnt the case seeing your replies. the project new bong was fully build by PPPP govt tenure though i will not give them credit for fully private funded project. rest are not even started other than karot which has got finical closure. again i will not credit govt on some expensive private funded projects look at new bong price its 8.8rs/unit vs govt international funded projects having price tag of 2-3 rs (as tarbela and dasu if built will have)

no matter what the govt does it performance will be gauge only by

1. power losses, efficency and govt DESCOs efficiency and hydro dams esepcially storage dams
2. taxation
3. education and health reforms
4. GDP growth (for last 2 years we have the lowest in south asia and is predicted to be so due to lack of power reforms)

i cannot give a govt credit for losing trillions on above and let private sector build a few MW small dams.
having said PPPP had build more hydro dams than what PML N will achieve (if you exculde tarbela extention, its credit should either go to Mr. ayub of 1960s or PPPP for financial closure)

but again PPPP performance was worse too.
this not vs of PPPP vs PML N. both parties performance has been very poor and very similar

read this its sums it up
Power sector’s receivables rise to Rs556b
now this 556 billion even half of it is enough to build all motorways from lahore to kararchi and finance bhasha and dasu dam. this is just one secotr. i understand its not possible to improve over night but fact is that it is not even STANDSTILL, ITS GETTING WORSE
Power sector’s receivables rise to Rs556bn - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

Dont get across, i like how you give other side of the picture , i may disagree but it is good for exchange of ideas .