Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the federal government has planned to construct ten new dams in the next ten years in a bid to generate clean energy and address water scarcity issue.
The premier said this after the ground-breaking of 807 million dollars Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project (T-5) under present government’s ‘Decade of Dams 2018-28’ vision.
He said the tunnel will increase the life of the dam besides producing clean energy. PM Imran further added that PTI government is making significant efforts to produce clean energy by 2030.
He said global warming is causing many problems, including flooding. The dams will protect the country from the effects of global warming.
He said if we preserve the water of glaciers, we can provide water to our farmers throughout the year.
Imran Khan said Mohmand Dam and Bhasha dams will be completed in 2025 and 2028 respectively that will help protect the future generations. He said these dams will also contribute to long life of Tarbela Dam.
The Prime Minister said a decision to construct Bhasha Dam was made in 1984, but it could not be materialized, and the country had to suffer.
He said the previous governments signed contracts for costly power production, which added burden to people.
The World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank are providing 390 million dollars and 300 million dollars, respectively, for Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project to be completed by 2024.
The Prime Minister on this occasion was given a detailed briefing on the project by Chairman Water and Power Development Authority Lt. Gen. (retired) Muzamil Hussain.
During the briefing, it was told that T-5 Hydropower Project will enhance the life of Tarbela Dam by addressing the issue of sedimentation and ensuring sustainable irrigation releases.
The Prime Minister was apprised that the project will generate another 1530 MW of low cost and environmental friendly electricity.
With completion of T-5, the installed capacity of Tarbela Dam will increase from 4888 MW to 6418 MW.
The Prime Minister was told that T-5 will provide 1.347 billion units of low-cost and green energy to the national grid on average every year.
The project will generate around 3000 employment opportunities during the construction phase.
The Prime Minister on this occasion also planted a sapling of pine tree.
