About Tarbela

Tarbela Dam is a 148m high rock and earth fill dam situated on the River Indus that impounds a large reservoir used primarily to provide irrigation releases but also power generation. When completed, the 5th extension project will add a further 1,530 MW of capacity using the 5th release tunnel to bring the total capacity to 6,418 MW. The project will have a discharge capacity of 1,385 m³/s and rated head of 110 m. Scheme components include a raised intake, connection shaft and tunnel, 13 m diameter penstock, powerhouse incorporating three Francis turbines (see image), tailrace culvert and canal, switchyard, and other power evacuation facilities