Tarbela 5th Extension Hit by Rs234bn Cost Surge, Bill Reaches Rs316bn

Islamabad: The estimated cost of the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project has risen from roughly Rs82 billion to about Rs316 billion, an increase of around Rs234 billion, after ECNEC considered its revised PC-I. The Express Tribune reported that ECNEC approved the revised cost at its August 22 meeting. The 1,530MW project is being constructed on Tarbela Dam’s Tunnel No. 5 and will contain three 510MW generating units. WAPDA reported 56% overall progress in January 2026 and said the first generating unit was targeted to start producing electricity in April 2027. Earlier scrutiny by the Planning Commission raised concerns over delays, project management, supervision and the sharp cost increase.