ISLAMABAD – The hydel resource development in Pakistan takes a giant leapforward, as the third and the last unit of Tarbela 4th Extension HydropowerProject was also synchronized with the National Grid on Friday. The thirdunit was operated on various loads up to 466 MW.
With synchronization of the third unit, the maximum contribution fromTarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project to the National Grid reached 1307MW. Had there been ample water level in Tarbela Reservoir, the generationfrom Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project would have been reached toits maximum generation capacity of 1410 MW. After conducting the loadrejection test at 466 MW, the third unit has now been stopped for technicalexamination in accordance with the standard operating procedure.
Earlier, the first and second units of Tarbela 4th Extension HydropowerProject restarted electricity generation on September 8 and 13 respectivelyafter lifting of the draft tube gates by engineers of Water and PowerDevelopment Authority by their concerted efforts. Since commissioning,Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project has contributed 632 million unitsof low-cost electricity to the system during the test run.
Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project has been constructed on Tunnel No.4 of Tarbela Dam. The project has three generating units, each of themhaving capacity of 470 MW. The project will provide 3.84 billion units ofelectricity on the average to the National Grid per annum.
Read Top Stories
Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at Rs. 30 billion. Theproject will pay back its cost in just three years. With completion ofTarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project, the installed capacity of TarbelaHydel Power Station has increased from 4378 MW to 4888 MW. – APP
