Times of Islamabad

US Centcom commander, Ambassador visit Tarbela Dam Project

US Centcom commander, Ambassador visit Tarbela Dam Project

ISLAMABAD – United States Central Command (CentCom) Commander GeneralKenneth F. McKenzie Jr. accompanied by the US Ambassador to Pakistan PaulJones and others Saturday visited Tarbela Dam Project.

During the visit, he had a round of various components of the projectincluding the Main Dam, Spillways, the Reservoir and the Power House, saida press release.

Welcoming the US delegation on the project, WAPDA Chairman Lt Gen MuzammilHussain (Retd) said that Tarbela Dam has been playing a vital role foreconomic stability and social development of Pakistan since its completionin 1974 by providing water for agriculture, mitigating floods, andinjecting a sizeable quantum of low-cost and environment-friendly hydelelectricity to the National Grid.

Despite being in the fifth decade of its life, Tarbela Reservoir can stillstore more than 6 million acre feet (MAF) of water.

At present, generation capacity of Tarbela Hydel Power Station stands at4888 MW with completion of its 4th Extension last year.

In view of the successful completion of 4th Extension within stipulatedcost and time, the Federal Government has decided to implement Tarbela 5thExtension Project on fast track basis.

The 5th Extension will add another 1410 MW to the generation capacity ofTarbela Hydel Power Station, he further said.