During his visit to the under-construction Dasu Hydropower Project, Chairman WAPDA Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed (Retd) was briefed that the excavation of the main dam pit (foundation) area is expected to be completed by January 2026.
This will be followed by the roller-compact-concrete (RCC) trial, which is anticipated to be completed within the next two to three months. Subsequently, RCC work on the Main Dam is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.
Chairman WAPDA reviewed the construction progress across key work fronts, including the main dam pit area, crushing and batching plants, powerhouse and transformer caverns, the Logro tunnel, and the Barseen bridge of the relocated Karakorum Highway (RKKH-1). The General Manager/Project Director of the Dasu Hydropower Project, along with project managers from both the consultants and contractors, were present during the briefing.
During on-site briefings, the Chairman was informed that construction is ongoing across 20 work fronts simultaneously. Several significant milestones have already been achieved, including the river diversion system, excavation of the main switch yard for the 765 kV transmission line, excavation of the right and left abutments of the main dam, completion of phase A of the project colony, and land acquisition. Furthermore, excavation of the underground powerhouse is set to be completed by February 2026. The 20.4 km-long RKKH-1, which includes seven tunnels and three bridges, is nearing completion and is expected to open to traffic by June 2026. WAPDA is constructing RKKH in the project area in accordance with CPEC standards.
Emphasising the significance of the Dasu Hydropower Project for enhancing the energy mix in favour of clean, green, and affordable electricity, the Chairman directed the contractors and consultants to expedite construction work to compensate for delays caused by security and law and order issues. All stakeholders involved in the project highlighted the crucial role of local administration and police in ensuring the continuity of work, which has been frequently interrupted by protests and roadblocks.
Additionally, the Chairman inaugurated the arch portion of the Barseen Bridge, the longest arch bridge in Pakistan. Security arrangements in the project area were also reviewed in detail during the visit.
WAPDA is implementing a local area development program that includes 69 infrastructure and public health schemes, worth billions of rupees, aimed at socio-economic empowerment of the local population. Of these, 28 schemes have been completed, while the remainder are currently in progress.
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It is essential to note that the 4,320 MW Dasu Hydropower Project is planned for completion in two stages. WAPDA is currently constructing Stage 1, which will have an installed capacity of 2,160 MW and an annual generation of 12 billion units of low-cost, environmentally friendly electricity. The World Bank is providing financial assistance of US$1.57 billion for Stage 1, which is expected to begin electricity generation in December 2027. Stage 2, when implemented, will add another 9 billion units per year to the National Grid. Upon completion of both stages, Dasu will become the project with the highest annual energy generation in Pakistan, averaging 21 billion units per year.
