The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has announced that it has signed a contract worth Rs. 52.5 billion (US$734 million) with a joint venture of GE Hydro China and Power China Zhongnan Engineering Corporation for electro-mechanical works of Dasu Hydropower Project (Stage-I).
The contract includes design, supply and installation of six Francis turbines, generators, main transformers, generator and station service switchgear along with related equipment.
The 4320MW Dasu project is being constructed by WAPDA on the River Indus, upstream of Dasu Town in Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The project will be completed in two stages – each stage having a generation capacity of 2160MW. At present, Stage-I of the project is underway, with electricity generation from the project is expected to commence in 2024-25. Stage-I will contribute more than 12 billion units per annum to the National Grid. Stage-II will also provide another 9 billion units to the system every year.
The World Bank is partially providing funds for construction of Stage-I to the tune of US$588.4 million and Partial Credit Guarantee (PCG) of US $460 million. The remaining funds are being arranged by WAPDA from its own resources and with the sovereign guarantee of Government of Pakistan.