Key Takeaways
- Wapda signed an agreement with Power China-IKAN Joint Venture for Rs133.18 billion.
- The contract covers hydro-mechanical equipment and hydraulic steel structures.
- The Diamer-Bhasha Dam project aims to enhance water, food, and energy security.
The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has signed a significant Rs133.18 billion contract with the Power China-IKAN Joint Venture for the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project, as reported by Dawn.
The agreement was signed at Wapda House on Saturday, with Arif Ali, the Diamer-Bhasha Dam Project Chief Engineer and Project Director, representing Wapda. Ling Jianke, the authorised representative of the joint venture, signed on behalf of the company.
The contract, known as HM-1, encompasses the provision, supply, and installation of hydro-mechanical equipment and hydraulic steel structures. This includes gates and steel structures to control water flows at the dam, as well as steel lining, hoisting, and pumping systems.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a priority project of the federal government, designed to secure the country's water, food, and energy needs. The dam is being constructed across the Indus River, 40km downstream of Chilas.
Upon completion, the dam will have a gross water storage capacity of 8.1 million acre-feet and an installed power generation capacity of 4,500 megawatts, according to Wapda.
The signing ceremony was attended by Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, the authority’s members for finance, water and power, the chief executive officer of the Diamer-Bhasha Development Company, and a delegation from the joint venture led by Power China International Group Limited chairman.
Representatives of the consultants also participated in the event, underscoring the collaborative nature of the project. The agreement is expected to significantly contribute to the development of Pakistan's infrastructure and energy sector.
The Diamer-Bhasha Dam project is a critical component of the government's strategy to address water and energy shortages, ensuring sustainable development for the nation.
