SWABI: The Tarbela Dam’s fourth extension project has started full power generation of 1,410MW with officials terming it another millstone in fulfilling the increasing electricity requirements of the country, sources in the dam told Dawn here on Saturday.

This project had been executed on the Tunnel 4 of Tarbela Dam by the Chinese company, Power China Group. It was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in March 2018.

The sources said with increased water level in Tarbela reservoir due to recent monsoon rains, the newly-completed power project has finally attained its maximum installed generation capacity of 1,410MW.

The Tarbela reservoir usually becomes full to its capacity till July end and then the dam authorities release water according to power generation demand, said the sources.

When contacted, an official said: “This power generation reflects the efficiency standards of the power project.”

This project went into operation with commissioning of its first unit by then PML-N government in February 2018, followed by completion of its second and third units in a phased manner, said the sources.

So far, the new project has contributed 3.14 billion low-cost hydel electricity units to the national grid, thus reducing power shortages in the country.

The project has three generating units, each of them having capacity of 470MW. The project has been designed to provide 3.84 billion units of electricity to the national grid per annum, said the sources.

Annual benefits of the project have been estimated at Rs30 billion.

With completion of the new project, the installed capacity of Tarbela Hydel Power Station has increased from 3,478MW to 4,888MW.

ACTION SOUGHT: Members of Swabi Bar Association and Tehsil Chota Lahor Bar Association on Saturday demanded action against police officer Rajab Ali Khan for allegedly threatening senior lawyer Sagheer Khan of dire consequences over a personal feud.

Speaking at a meeting, the lawyers adopted a resolution, demanding of the police to stop the officer from hurling threats at the senior lawyer.

Published in Dawn, July 28th, 2019