Verification of Project Works Completed up to April 2012 at Tarbela Hydro Power Plant

The visit was led by Senior Energy Expert Engr. Salim Paracha from Advanced Engineering Associates International, Inc. (AEAI) and a representative from Hagler Bailly. The Tarbela Power Station was generating 735 MW at a reservoir level of 1378 ft. on the day of the visit. The plant's generation capability at 1378 ft. is 1545 MW, but the river inflow and plant outflow were maintained to avoid further depletion of the reservoir, which was near dead level. The rehabilitation works at the power plant were monitored, and the progress was assessed. Unit # 4 winding was replaced with new class F winding in May 2011, enabling the unit to generate an additional 108 MW since last summer. Unit # 1 winding replacement started in early October 2011 and was completed on February 3, 2012. The installation and testing, commissioning were carried out under the supervision of Hitachi engineers, and Unit # 1 is operating at full load of 148 MW at a reservoir level of 1458 feet. At full reservoir level of 1552 feet, the unit will generate 195 MW, resulting in a capacity gain of 10 MW from this unit. Unit # 3 shut down was approved from February 16, 2012, and winding replacement is progressing satisfactorily under the supervision of Japanese experts from Marubeni. The replacement is expected to complete ahead of the target completion date of end May 2012. WAPDA is finalizing the purchase order for the procurement of one third winding spares from Marubeni Corporation, Japan, and was reminded to expedite the purchase of spares as soon as possible. Other notable progress includes the replacement of new seals for Relief and Bypass Valves Units 1 – 10, which arrived at Tarbela in December 2011 and were completed in March and April 2012. New Station Drainage Pumps are at Tarbela, and replacement of old pumps is scheduled to start from mid-April 2012. Unwatering pumps are scheduled for shipment mid-April 2012. The manufacturing of Digital Governors was completed at GE USA, and four WAPDA engineers are scheduled to visit USA to inspect the new Governors at GE works prior to their release for shipment, which is expected in May 2012. A new SCADA system is under manufacturing with ABB, and shipment date is not yet confirmed by the manufacturer ABB. Additionally, a total of twenty WAPDA engineers from Tarbela have completed training as per FARA.