Rehabilitation of Tarbela Hydropower Plant

The project aimed to restore the plant's capacity and increase its reliability and sustainability. Initial assessments identified the need for replacement of generator windings, spare seals and guides, and pumps to achieve this goal. Installation of six drainage and dewatering pumps was completed in September 2012. Experts physically inspected the installed pumps for Units 1-10 and reviewed their shipping documents. However, one low-capacity tank dewatering pump was not procured, which was reported to WAPDA/Tarbela. A meeting was held on September 12, 2012, with USAID and WAPDA, and it was agreed that WAPDA would procure the remaining pump before invoicing for $400,000 as per the FARA. The rehabilitation/repair work to date has resulted in the restoration of 128 MWs at Tarbela Hydropower plant. Replacement of generator windings has been completed at units 1, 3, and 4, and spare seals and guides and pumps installed. The remaining replacement/repair work includes replacing electromechanical governors with digital governors, upgrading the SCADA system, spare parts for Unit-3 winding, and replacing one dewatering pump. The above-mentioned rehabilitation work is anticipated to go beyond the completion date of December 2012 due to the delay in the procurement of digital governors and SCADA system. Amendment-I of the Tarbela FARA has revised the completion date of the project to December 31, 2012. Of the $16.5 million USG funding committed for Tarbela, total disbursement as of September 2012 is $11,249,917. The current status of the Tarbela FARA is as follows: replacement of damaged generator stator windings with Class F insulation windings for Units 1, 3, and 4 has been completed, and 100% amount reimbursed. Installation of windings for Unit 3 was completed on May 25, 2012, and 100% amount less spares has been reimbursed. Upgrading of the SCADA system for Units 1-14 is scheduled to be completed in October 2013. Spare seals and guides for relief and bypass valves on turbine side for Units 1-10 have been installed, and 100% amount has been disbursed to WAPDA. Replacement of electromechanical governors by digital ones for Units 1-10 is anticipated to be completed in June 2013.