USAID ENERGY POLICY PROGRAM MONTHLY REPORT APRIL 2012 COMPLETION OF GOMAL ZAM DAM, HYDROPOWER AND TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT

The project is a result of a collaboration between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) under the USAID Energy Policy Program. The project implementation agreement, No. 391-PEPA-ENR-GOMAL-PIL-001, was signed between USAID and WAPDA. The project involves the construction of a 129-meter-high dam, a hydroelectric power plant, and a 132-kilovolt transmission line. As of April 2012, the main dam and spillway concrete and related works are 88% complete, with a total disbursement of $36,589,000 out of the committed $40 million. The hydropower and switchgear component is 90% complete, while the transmission line and related works are 50% complete. The reservoir filling started in April 2012, with the water level reaching 90 meters. The final testing and commissioning of the project are dependent on the reservoir filling up to the normal operating level of 743 meters, which is expected in August-September 2012. Amendment No. 1 to the activity agreement revised the completion date to September 30, 2012. The project schedule indicates that the main dam and spillway concrete and related works are expected to be completed by September 2012, while the hydropower and switchgear component is expected to be completed by August 2012. The transmission line and related works are expected to be completed by June 2012. The total allocated amount for the project is $40 million, with $36,589,000 disbursed as of April 2012. The project is expected to provide a significant increase in electricity generation capacity, improving the energy security of the region. The project's completion is dependent on the successful completion of the reservoir filling and the final testing and commissioning of the project.