Bunji hydropower project to generate 7,100 MW

[LahoreEstate]

ISLAMABAD: The government is preparing a feasibility study for the largest hydropower project of Pakistan—Bunji Hydropower project—having an installed capacity of 7100MW.

The detailed design and tender documents will be completed in August 2010, sources informed Daily Times here on Saturday.

The PC-II for feasibility study, detailed engineering design and tender document was approved in the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting held on December 14, 2005. If the Musharaf led PML-Q government properly pursued and implemented the project, the country would not have confronted such type of electricity and water problems. If the project were completed in time, the country would have about 3000MW to 3500MW surplus electricity and there would be no need to go for expensive Rental Power Plants.

The companies conducting the feasibility and detailed design studies of the Bunji Hydropower Project were all involved in a collaborative joint venture, consisted of Mott MacDonald UK, Mott MacDonald Pakistan, Sogreah Consultants (France), Nippon Koei (Japan) and Development & Management consultants (Pakistan). This joint venture was known as Bunji Consultants Joint Venture (BCJV). The dam site area was located on Indus River, with dam and powerhouse 85 and 65 km respectively from Gilgit city and Northern Areas.

Pre-feasibility report of the dam was completed in March 2005 and consultancy contract agreement was signed on April 25, 2007.

The sources claimed that the field investigations for detailed engineering design like sediment sampling in Indus and Gilgit River, geological mapping, drilling at dam site, powerhouse area and for riverbed were in progress. Suspended sediment samples at Gaingi Bridge were being collected and analysed by the ISRIP, WAPDA. The scope of work for sediment sampling had been enhanced to take sampling at Kachura, Alam Bridge and Bunji Bridge in addition to Gainji Bridge. The sources further claimed that the drilling in dam and powerhouse areas at new structure location was in progress. The work had been suspended because of the high river flow and rig has been dumped on site. Rest of the drilling work would be done in next low flow season.

The sources claimed that the model studies for spillway low-level outlet, diversion tunnel, power intake and tunnel outlet have been initiated and Irrigation Research Institute (IRI), Nandipur, would carry out the model study.

After completion of the Bunji Hydropower project, the country would be able to get 24,000 GWh power per annum. The estimated construction period for dam is 108 months (9 years).

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg5_7