Generation of 4,320MW : WB agrees to provide funds for Dasu project

ISLAMABAD: World Bank (WB) has agreed to provide financial assistance for 4320 megawatts (MW) Dasu Hydropower Project, which will be constructed in phases.

Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Chairman Shakil Durrani at a meeting said the international financial institutions were taken keen interest in providing funds for WAPDA projects due to the excellent Economic Internal Rate of Returns (EIRR) of these schemes.

Dasu Hydropower Project is a part of least-cost energy generation plan, being executed by the WAPDA to harness indigenous hydropower resource of the country with a view to improve the ratio of hydel electricity in the national grid. The project is proposed to be constructed on the Indus River, seven kilometers upstream of Dasu village and 74 kilometers downstream of Diamer-Basha Dam Project. Site of the project is situated at Karakoram Highway, about 350 kilometers away from Islamabad.

WAPDA’s priority is to construct the Diamer Basha Dam for which land acquisition has already started and 13 contracts for offices, colonies and roads awarded. The Dasu Hydropower Project would follow the initiation of Diamer Basha Dam Project. Detailed engineering design, PC-I and tender documents of the project are likely to be completed in early 2013. Afterwards, the construction work on the project will commence.-Dailytimes