ISLAMABAD (Agencies): The Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has secured a contract, Package III C, worth US$ 6.28729 million for the design and supply of two 220 KV, 168.75 MVA Generator Step-up (GSU) Transformers. These transformers are for Unit No. 9 and 10 of the Mangla Refurbishment Project, and the task is set to be completed by a Chinese Contractor in 400 days.
The contract signing ceremony took place at WAPDA House. General Manager (Hydel) Development WAPDA, Mr. Ihsan Ullah, and Chief Representative of the Chinese firm CHINT, Mr. Zyphyr Zhao, signed the contract on behalf of their respective organizations.
The signing of the contract was witnessed by Member (Finance) WAPDA, Naveed Asghar Chaudhry, and Member (Power) WAPDA, Mr. Jamil Akhtar. Other attendees included officers concerned with the PD Mangla Refurbishment Project, representatives of the Consultants, and the Contractor.
WAPDA is implementing the Mangla Refurbishment Project with an approved PC-I cost of Rs.52.224 billion. The project is being executed in various phases, with the generating units being refurbished one tunnel (two generating units) at a time. The refurbishment of the first two units was completed in 2022, and the refurbishment of all 10 generating units is expected to be accomplished by the year 2027-28 in a phased manner.
Upon completion, the Mangla Refurbishment Project will increase the generation capacity of the existing Mangla Hydel Power Station from 1000 MW to 1310 MW, registering an increase of 310 MW. The average annual generation of the Mangla Hydel Power Station will also increase from 5 billion units to 6.6 billion units.
Funding for the Mangla Refurbishment Project is being provided by USAID, which is contributing US$150 million as a grant, and AFD France, which is providing a Euro 90 million loan. The remaining amount is being arranged by WAPDA through loans and its own resources.