WAPDA signs MoU of Rs1.68bn with Chinese company for Mangla Refurbishment Project

LAHORE: The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has inked a contract on Monday of value Rs1.68 billion with China CAMC Engineering Company for Package-9 of Mangla Refurbishment Project, the main purpose of this contract is to upgrade Mangla switchyard.

This contract signing ceremony was held on Monday at WAPDA House, in the presence of Muhammad Arshad Chaudhry, WAPDA General Manager (Hydel) Development and Member (Power) Engineer and Ms Liang Xiaofang, China CMAC Engineering Company Business Manager. They have signed the MoU on behalf of their organizations. However, WAPDA senior officers, representatives, and the contractors were also present on the occasion.

The authority is executing Mangla Refurbishment Project with a permitted PC-I cost of Rs 52.2 billion.

This project is almost on the verge of its finishing point, it will ultimately elevate generation capability of the existing Mangla hydel power station from 1,000 MW to 1310 MW, resulting in an an amplification of almost 310 MW.

According to details, this refurbishment work is divided into 11 different packages. Preceding to the signing of Package-9, almost five other packages have already been awarded and the progressive work is already in progress.

Furthermore, it is stated that Mangla Refurbishment Project will be executed in different phases.

The refurbishment of the first two units will be concluded by 2019, and the refurbishment of all 10 generating units is to be finished by 2024.

It is also observed that USAID has granted $150 million and AFD is providing Euro 90 million as a loan amount for Mangla Refurbishment Project. However, the balance amount is being taken care by WAPDA through loans and from other resources that WAPDA owns.