First unit of CPEC's Suki Kinari hydropower project connected to grid in Pakistan - International Water Power

https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/news/first-unit-of-cpecs-suki-ki...

The first unit of the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project in northwest Pakistan was successfully connected to the national grid on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative.

The project, located in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, is being developed by China Energy Construction Overseas Investment Company Ltd. Once fully operational, the 884MW plant will generate approximately 3.21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, supplying affordable clean energy to over 1 million households.

Suki Kinari is expected to play a key role in addressing Pakistan’s electricity shortfall, reducing coal consumption, and lowering carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.52 million tons per year. Construction began in January 2017, and the facility is scheduled to become fully operational later this year.

At the heart of the Suki Kinari project are four Pelton turbine generators, each with a capacity of 221MW, collectively contributing to the total capacity of 884MW. The hydropower plant boasts a maximum net head of 922.72m and a minimum head of 845.76m.

The reservoir’s operating parameters are set with a maximum level of 2233m and a minimum level of 2223m, holding a storage capacity of 10.37 million m3 below the minimum operating level. The project also features an underground powerhouse located approximately 400m deep and a tailrace tunnel extending about 1583m.

CPEC, launched in 2013 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, focuses on enhancing energy, transportation, and industrial infrastructure in Pakistan. The successful connection of the Suki Kinari project’s first unit to the grid is seen as a critical step toward its commercial operation.

World Bank set to approve $1bn loan for Dasu project expansion

https://www.geo.tv/latest/588799-world-bank-set-to-approve-1bn-loan...

Official reveals cost of phase I shot up by 190.1% to Rs1,700bn.
Rise attributed to various factors such including in land acquisition.
After erection of stage II, Dasu project would generate 4,320 MWs.
The World Bank (WB) is set to issue a fresh $1 billion loan for the first phase of the Dasu hydropower project, following the approval of a revised PC-1 with updated completion timelines, The News reported on Monday.

A senior official of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) revealed that cost of the first stage of the project has shot up by 190.1% to Rs1,700 billion from Rs586 billion.

The increase in the cost is attributed mainly to a delay in land acquisition, security concerns and an increase of US dollar value by 178%.

“The project of stage I would generate 2,160 MWs. However, after erecting stage II of the project, it would generate 4,320 MWs. Dasu Hydropower Project is a run-river project on the Indus River located seven kilometres upstream of Dasu Town, District Kohistan (Upper), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

"The site is 74km downstream of the proposed Diamer Bhasha Dam site and 345km from Islamabad. The project will generate 4,320 MWs (12 Units @ 360 MW each) hydroelectric power with annual energy of 21,445 GWh and will be developed in two stages (Stage I and II).

"Stage I will generate 2,160 MW (06 Units @ 360MW each) with annual energy of 12,222 GWh. Stage I will be completed in five years. The WB has already given the loan of $588 million and also extended the guarantee leverage for generating $460 million from the international market.”

However, under the new financing for the project, out of $1 billion, $800 million loan is of International Development Association (IDA) and $200 million will be extended under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).

Out of the IDA loan, Pakistan will attain $435 million at zero interest rate, $365 million at 5.83% interest rate, and get $200 million under IBRD at 6.13% interest rate.

"We have prepared the revised PC-1 of the project at the cost of Rs1,700 billion and will send it within a couple of days to the Planning Commission for its approval. After that, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and WB will formally sign the $1 billion (loan)," the Ministry of Water Resources confirmed.

The land acquisition for the dam project was to be completed by 2014, but the process finished in 2021-22. Another reason for the escalating cost is the appreciation of US dollar by 178% to Rs278 from Rs100.

"The project was earlier scheduled to get completed by 2023-24 which would now be completed by 2027-28. The Economic Affairs Division has played a pivotal role in diverting the bank’s loan to the project of paramount importance. The WB has already extended $1 billion loan to Pakistan in other heads, but it was not being spent. This is why the loan has been re-purposed and diverted to the Dasu Dam with the approval of the executive board of the bank," added the ministry.

'Tarbela project to generate power next year' | The Express Tribune

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2555035/tarbela-project-to-generate-po...

The Tarbela Dam's total generating capacity is currently 4,888 MW. However, with the completion of the 5th Extension project, which is expected in 2025, the capacity will increase to 6,418 MW.This makes Tarbela Pakistan's largest hydropower generation unit.

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The total electricity generation capacity of Tarbela Power House will reach 6,418 megawatts from the existing 4,888 MW after the commissioning of the Tarbela 5th Extension Project in 2025.

The WAPDA spokesman told APP the project would provide environment-friendly and low-cost hydel electricity to the National Grid.

WAPDA is constructing the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project on Tunnel No 5 of Tarbela Dam with the financial assistance of World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

https://www.radio.gov.pk/29-05-2023/tarbelas-power-generation-capac...