Verification of Project Works Completed up to January 12, 2012 at Tarbela Hydro Power Plant

Salim Paracha from Advanced Engineering Associates International, Inc. (AEAI). The purpose of the visit was to monitor the progress of the Repair and Rehabilitation of Tarbela Power Plant, which is funded by the USAID. The visit focused on the status of ongoing works at the power plant, including the completion of Unit # 4 winding works, which resulted in an additional 108 MW of power generation since last summer. Unit # 1 winding replacement was also underway, with completion expected by the end of January 2012, and an additional 10 MW of power expected to be gained from this unit. Unit # 3 was scheduled for shutdown from February 1, 2012, with winding replacement expected to be completed by mid-May 2012. Other ongoing works included the replacement of new seals for Relief and Bypass Valves Units 1 – 10, which was scheduled to commence from mid-January 2012, and the replacement of old station drainage pumps, also scheduled to start from mid-January 2012. Digital Governors were scheduled to be shipped from GE USA in March 2012, and a new SCADA system was under manufacturing with ABB, with a shipment date yet to be confirmed. Training as per the Framework Agreement (FARA) was also in progress, with the first batch of six engineers completing Advanced Technical Training in Switzerland. A second batch of seven Tarbela engineers was scheduled to depart for training in Switzerland on January 21, 2012. WAPDA was reminded to strictly follow the FARA guidelines and specifications, and to submit monthly progress reports regarding the implementation of the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP). The EMMP was received by WAPDA, and a team of environmental experts from WAPDA house visited Tarbela to implement the EMMP strictly in accordance with the FARA and USAID environmental guidelines.