Key Takeaways
- A government inquiry found WAPDA, the contractor, and engineering consultant responsible for the collapse of Tarbela 5’s cofferdam.
- The project cost increased by over 285 percent from Rs. 82 billion to Rs. 317 billion due to unauthorized design changes.
- The delayed completion date has been pushed back to June 2028, instead of the original target in 2026.
A government-appointed inquiry committee has identified WAPDA and its contractor as primary culpable parties for the collapse of the cofferdam at the Tarbela 5 Extension Hydropower Project. The project, which was originally estimated to cost Rs. 82 billion, now faces a staggering increase in costs by over 285 percent, reaching Rs. 317 billion.
The inquiry report attributes the collapse of the cofferdam to unauthorized design changes made after the contract was awarded. These alterations were approved by both WAPDA and its engineering consultant without ensuring technical compliance, leading to a vulnerable structure that could not withstand normal river flows.
According to the Planning Commission, the increased costs will likely result in a levelized electricity generation cost of Rs. 27 to Rs. 28 per unit, making it Pakistan’s most expensive renewable energy project. This raises significant concerns about its long-term viability and financial sustainability.
The project, which was backed by $700 million in loans from the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), is now expected to be completed by June 2028, a two-year delay from its original target of 2026. The committee’s findings highlight major governance failures in project execution and oversight.
The inquiry also criticized the project’s consultant, MM Pakistan BIDR China, for staffing issues that led to their contract termination and withdrawal of staff without providing the required notice period. This action further weakened the government's ability to seek compensation after the collapse.
In addition to these findings, the report noted irregular payments for temporary works, which could have compromised the structural integrity of the cofferdam. The committee rejected claims that flooding caused the collapse, citing historical river flow levels and inadequate protection layers as primary causes.
The project’s contractor, WAPDA, was found responsible for proposing an unauthorized redesign of the cofferdam without proper validation. The engineering consultant approved this change without conducting a thorough technical review, leading to a design that failed under normal conditions.
The inquiry committee, led by Federal Flood Commission Chairman and Chief Engineering Adviser Ather Hameed, concluded that all three parties—WAPDA, its contractor, and the engineering consultant—failed in their contractual responsibilities. This failure resulted in significant delays and increased costs for the project.
