fatman17
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Dam Pakistan
The Kalabagh Dam will generate Pakistans largest amount of electricity. Once it is built, that is. Originally slated to start construction in 1985, the project has seen many delays. By late 2007, it appeared that the dam would finally get underway. In December, a minister of the interim federal government claimed that a decision to start construction might be made by the time the new government took power after the scheduled January 8 elections. But the December 27 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto caused a postponement of the elections, and once again threw the Kalabagh projects future into doubt.
The history of the dam project goes all the way back to 1960, when Pakistan and India signed the Indus water treaty. Under the treaty, the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab Rivers were assigned to Pakistan, and the eastern Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej Rivers were reserved for India.
The treaty provided for two major dams in Pakistan. Construction of the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River started in 1962 and it was completed five years later. During the summer, the dams high reservoir level can generate 1,150 megawatts of power. The capacity comes down to about 500 MW in winter.
There were two possible sites for the other dam, to be built on the Indus. The World Bank preferred Kalabagh due to technical reasons, but then-President, Ayub Khan, wanted Tarbela for political ones. He believed Tarbela would bring prosperity to his home district, Hazara. And he prevailed.
Tarbela, the worlds largest earth and rock filled dam (485 feet high and 9,000 feet long), was completed in 1974. During the high reservoir period the dam can generate 3,714 MW, due to a 15 percent permissible overloading. It comes to about 1,350 MW in the lean winter period.
Kalabagh will have an installed capacity of 2,400 MW initially and 3,600 MW ultimately. Pakistans Water and Power Development Authority estimates that annual electricity generated at Kalabagh will be 20 million barrels of oil equivalent, saving fuel that would otherwise be needed to produce thermal power. In 2005, the total project cost, including price escalation and interest during construction, was estimated at $6.1 billion, with construction expected to take six years or so.
The Kalabagh Dam will generate Pakistans largest amount of electricity. Once it is built, that is. Originally slated to start construction in 1985, the project has seen many delays. By late 2007, it appeared that the dam would finally get underway. In December, a minister of the interim federal government claimed that a decision to start construction might be made by the time the new government took power after the scheduled January 8 elections. But the December 27 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto caused a postponement of the elections, and once again threw the Kalabagh projects future into doubt.
The history of the dam project goes all the way back to 1960, when Pakistan and India signed the Indus water treaty. Under the treaty, the Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab Rivers were assigned to Pakistan, and the eastern Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej Rivers were reserved for India.
The treaty provided for two major dams in Pakistan. Construction of the Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River started in 1962 and it was completed five years later. During the summer, the dams high reservoir level can generate 1,150 megawatts of power. The capacity comes down to about 500 MW in winter.
There were two possible sites for the other dam, to be built on the Indus. The World Bank preferred Kalabagh due to technical reasons, but then-President, Ayub Khan, wanted Tarbela for political ones. He believed Tarbela would bring prosperity to his home district, Hazara. And he prevailed.
Tarbela, the worlds largest earth and rock filled dam (485 feet high and 9,000 feet long), was completed in 1974. During the high reservoir period the dam can generate 3,714 MW, due to a 15 percent permissible overloading. It comes to about 1,350 MW in the lean winter period.
Kalabagh will have an installed capacity of 2,400 MW initially and 3,600 MW ultimately. Pakistans Water and Power Development Authority estimates that annual electricity generated at Kalabagh will be 20 million barrels of oil equivalent, saving fuel that would otherwise be needed to produce thermal power. In 2005, the total project cost, including price escalation and interest during construction, was estimated at $6.1 billion, with construction expected to take six years or so.
