Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has marked a milestone at the Tarbela 4th Extension Hydropower Project as the project’s first unit began generating electricity for the National Grid.

The 1410MW project features 3x470MW generating units installed in Tunnel 4 at Tarbela Dam. The first unit began generating on 26 February, with the second unit scheduled to be commissioned by the end of April and the third by the end of May.

In a statement, WAPDA said it is determined to add 2487MW low-cost hydroelectricity to the National Grid by June 2018 with phased completion  of its three hydropower projects – 108MW-Golen Gol, 969MW-Neelum Jhelum and the 1410MW-Tarbela 4th Extension.