Pakistan government awarded Rs180 billion worth of two contracts to a Chinese firm for first stage of the Dasu hydropower project.
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) signed agreement of Rs180 billion worth of two contracts to China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) for construction of main civil works in the first stage of the Dasu hydropower project.
Dasu Project Director Javed Akhtar and CGGC representative Tan Bixuan signed the contracts on behalf of the two companies respectively.
Federal Minister for Water and Power Khwaja Mohammad Asif was chief guest for meeting. State minister Chaudhary Abid Sher Ali, WAPDA chairman Muzammil Hussain, Wapda Member (Water) Nasir Hanif, Dasu Hydropower Project management, and representatives of the project consultants and CGGC also attended the meeting.
The agreement consist MW-01 with estimated cost Rs115 billion which would be completed in about five years, includes construction of main dam, appurtenant structures and hydraulic steel structures.
While, second agreement MW-02 having Rs64.4 billion estimated cost. The project MW-02 comprises construction of underground power complex, tunnels and hydraulic structures.
Dasu Hydropower Project (DHP) includes the construction of a 4,320MW hydropower plant on the Indus River near Dasu town in Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The project is located approximately 74km downstream of the Diamer Basha Dam, 240km upstream of the Tarbela Dam and 345km from Islamabad.
Federal Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that “the government was committed to optimal utilisation of hydropower resources for generating low-cost electricity to eliminate load-shedding, was a manifestation of this commitment”
Wapda chairman in his welcome remarks, said, “Today is an important day for Dasu Hydropower Project.” Underlining significance of the project, he urged upon CGGC to complete the contracts within the stipulated timeframe, adhering to the quality of work specified for the project.
This stage of the project, to be completed in 2021 under the contract, would generate 2,160MW of electricity. The contractor was selected through international competitive bidding among prequalified Chinese firms.