May 25, 2026: Chairman Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd) visited Tarbela Dam to review progress on the under-construction Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T5 HPP) and witness testing and commissioning of the Low Level Outlet (LLO) of Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project (T4 HPP).
Chairman IRSA Amjad Saeed, members of the IRSA Technical Committee, and WAPDA’s Member Water and Member Power also accompanied him during the day-long visit.
During the briefing on T5 HPP, the Chairman was updated on the component-wise progress of key structures including the Intake Structure, Connecting Tunnel, Penstock and LLO, Power House, Tailrace Culvert, Tailrace Canal, and Switchyard. Officials informed that concerted efforts are underway to complete all project components within the stipulated timelines.
The Chairman appreciated the efforts of the project team and directed consultants and contractors to ensure expeditious execution of work while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
The Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project has an installed generation capacity of 1,530 MW. The World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing financial assistance of US$390 million and US$300 million respectively for the project. Upon completion, the total installed generation capacity at Tarbela will increase from 4,888 MW to 6,418 MW.
Earlier, at T4 HPP, the Chairman witnessed testing and commissioning of the Low Level Outlet to ensure the availability of water releases as per IRSA’s requirements during the Kharif season. During his visit to the Machine Hall and Control Room, officials briefed him that the project, completed with financial assistance from the World Bank, started electricity generation in March 2018 and has since contributed 33.254 billion units of electricity to the National Grid.
Later, the Chairman was also briefed on the operation and maintenance of Tarbela Dam and Khanpur Dam. Officials shared that Tarbela Dam has so far released over 419 Million Acre Feet (MAF) of stored water for the agriculture sector, while also contributing 586 billion units of green, clean, and low-cost electricity to the National Grid. Since 1974, the dam has provided economic benefits estimated at US$460 billion to Pakistan.
GM TDP, GM Power Tarbela, GM/PD T5 HPP, Advisor Projects WAPDA, Advisor T4 and T5 HPP, and PD T4 HPP were also present during the visit.
